Tips for Keeping Your Basement Dry
The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements. Wet basements may be a common problem, but that doesn’t mean the problem isn’t serious. If left untreated, water surrounding or seeping into your basement can cause structural damage to your home.
There are several things you can do on our own at home before contacting B-Level to help keep your basement dry.
Take a walk in the rain
No, really.
Taking a walk around your house during a moderate to heavy rain with an umbrella will help you identify issues with water flow that you may not have noticed when it’s dry out. By doing this, you can take corrective basement waterproofing measures to avoid water damage in your basement.
During your walk, there are several things you should look for that can help ensure that your basement stays dry.
Check gutters and downspouts
When it rains, you want everything to be diverting water away from your house as much as possible so it doesn’t build up near your foundation. That’s why your gutters and downspouts are one of your first lines of defense when it comes to basement waterproofing.
Look at your gutters and ensure they aren’t leaking or overflowing onto the ground. If water is overflowing from your gutters, it can lead to water damage in your basement.
Check the downspouts to ensure that the water from your gutters is flowing to the ground without leaking. If the water is not flowing properly, it can cause water damage in your basement or damage to your foundation.
Make sure to also look at the downspout pipes or buried downspout laterals in your yard to ensure water flows properly to an outlet. These pipes should carry water away from your home and should be checked regularly to ensure they are working properly.
Check the grading of your yard
Look at the grading of your yard to ensure water flows away from the home. This can prevent water from pooling at your foundation or seeping into your foundation causing water damage in your basement.
Check the concrete surrounding your home
Check your concrete patio, sidewalks, porch, and driveway to ensure water is being carried away from the house. You want to ensure the concrete is allowing water to flow away from your home and not towards it.
Make sure your sump pump is working properly
If your gutters and yard grading are your first line of defense in the basement waterproofing fight, your sump pump is the last line. And as the last line of defense, you must make sure it’s ready to do its job when it’s called into action, or you’re looking at potentially severe water damage in your basement.
Check your sump pump to make sure it works and the float is set properly inside the basin. Make sure you also inspect your sump pump discharge to ensure it hasn’t become disconnected and carries water away like it should.
Call the Basement Waterproofing Experts at B-Level
If you have checked all of these items and have found a problem, or if everything looks fine but you are still experiencing water damage in your basement, it’s time to contact a professional for help.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to basement waterproofing in Columbus, so B-Level offers customized solutions to fit your specific needs. Our basement waterproofing professionals will evaluate your unique situation and recommend the best course of action.
If you need help keeping your basement dry, contact B-Level for a free quote today.