A flooded basement is a nerve-racking, prevalent problem that homeowners face almost every year. Damage due to flood is not only stressful and time-consuming to remove but can also distress future activities and longtime memories you have with your friends and family. However, just like any other home problem, homeowners can take certain steps to make sure that water going into the basement can be prevented. This article shares five helpful tips to preventing flooding in the basement.
Inspect the Foundation
Assess the foundation for any minor cracks or holes where water could get into. Even a small amount of water that enters the basement due to excessive rain can damage to your wood floorings, carpets, drywalls and even the structure of your house. Another good area to check for cracks or holes is your basement door.
Unclog
During excessive rain, congested sewers, and clogged septic tanks can pose a huge problem. It is important to ensure that your sewer and septic tank are checked and cleaned every start of each season. It may also be a good idea to install a sub-pump to drain unwanted water in case there is flooding.
Maintain Outdoor Environment
Although it is exhausting to do, always ensure that your gutters are free of debris and flowing properly without leaks. Also trimming branches of trees that may fall in your house is also important. These steps are vital in making sure water is not concentrated in your house in times of heavy rain. And if you notice minor leaks in your roof, make sure that it is repaired as early as possible. It will worsen the longer you ignore it.
Keep the Foundation Water-Free
Another area to check is your downspouts and gutters. Make sure that water is flowing a good distance from your foundation and that they are free of any debris. During a rain, you can assess these areas by walking around your house and finding where the water is draining. By doing this, you may see potential problems.
Get Insurance
If your house is insured, consider counting in flood insurance to your insurance policy, particularly if you are living in a place that frequently floods. Flood insurance can only cover definite kinds of floods. For example, under some insurance policies, damages are only covered if the problem is due to a natural flood. It is vital that you carefully read your policy and know what is and isn’t covered.
Contact Calgary Water in Flood for more information on their flood damage services in Calgary.
