Prevent Basement Flooding

Your home is important. But so is your basement. A key reason why we want our basement to be usable is that, it can serve as a large and extra storage space. But if your basement gets flooded, you don’t get to make the most out of it. But how do you prevent basement flooding?

This article has some basic know-how on most common options you can consider. Read more to know the things you can do to avoid calling in a professional and still control the water flow penetrating your basement. In this kind of projects, you should keep a masonry paint and hydraulic cement handy. With this you will need a sump pump. Read more for the details…

If you have suitably installed clean gutters, you know that you have got the initial barricade against the flooding. In many instances, cleaning the leaves or debris off the gutters is the first thin you need to do. The roof sheds much more water than we usually realize.

Technically speaking, if the roof sheds are channeled poorly (when they aren’t amply far away), it’s most likely to raise the water table surrounding your house. You need to ensure that downspouts are empty where water is supposed to flow away from your house. Also make sure that water doesn’t pool up or soak in the surrounding ground.

Sump pumps are another good way if you wish to get rid of the water table. Unfortunately, the pump’s float switch is sometimes a neglected part. In many cases, this switch gets blocked up and your pump is prevented from turning on. The finest of all float switches is seen on typical pedestal pumps, which keeps both the motor and switch raised out and above the water.

When it comes to larger homes, it’s better to have several pumps at the basement’s both ends. You’ll be able to buy a complete kit that contains the pump, a battery backup kit/box, and an electronic watchdog system. Look online for a cheaper and quality deal.

Hydraulic cement is meant to be applied to leaks. It can usually be painted when it’s cured. It generally comes in midsize gallon buckets. You have to mix it before you actually apply it. As you understand, leaks in the basement must be plugged if you want to stop basement flooding.

Be sure to plug corner leaks and pay special attention to the spots where the basement floor meets walls. You also need to plug leaks that are around the chimney bases. Be sure that you have checked for stress cracks of any kind in the masonry.

Can you remember where this footing drain empties? If yes, then ensure that it’s kept clear. There’s hardly anything the typical homeowner is able to do for keeping a buried pipe fully clear. In aged homes the entire system generally gets clogged and there’s no use of it.

So, footing drains has to be installed when a house is built in the first place. It comprises of a 6" PVC pipe that comes with drilled holes (which lets water in). This pipe is actually buried around houses – but of course with a sufficient gravel layer on top as well as below.

In extreme conditions, some people decide to raise the floor just a couple of inches above the water level. This, as you might guess, is regarded as the last remedy since it’s very expensive and doesn't last too long if the job is done with the wrong materials.

And poorly done jobs become a breeding bed for mold, insects or rodents. So, here’s a word of caution. Don’t use pallets as they’re known for quickly decomposing when they come into contact with water. When it comes to handling basement flooding, you got to work smarter, than harder. And be sure to check what the local are building codes specifying the minimum ceiling height.