Is your Residential Property Basement Flood Proof?

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Residential basement flooding can happen for a number of reasons. Bad weather apart, in most instances, basement flooding happens because the owner did not recognize or simply ignored a potential risk factor. What’s interesting is that flood proofing your basement is actually relatively easy. Provided you know what to watch out for and the potential risk factors that certain issues can present.

Lot Grading

Poor surface drainage is an important factor in residential properties getting flooded. Exterior grading, proper surface drainage and debris free rain water gutters can go a long way in avoiding flooding. Anytime the above conditions are not met, water will automatically drain towards your property and basement. Carefully planned ground slope is one of the most effective ways of ensuring water flows away from your property. If you live in an area where storms are a natural occurrence, then don’t wait till the rainy season. Restructure your yard and allow for proper drainage of surface water so all the rain or storm water can easily flow away from your home’s foundation.

Seal to Avoid Water Leakage

Waterproofing is something that is done during the construction or even during the remodeling of a house. Everything from the walls and floor of the basement need to be made waterproof. Proper sealing can avoid water leakage and basement flooding. Regular maintenance should be a priority with you if you’re a residential property owner. Immediately seal any cracks or openings that you find. Alternatively, you could hire an expert to come and carry out periodic inspections to avoid potential basement flooding risk.

Blocked Gutter System

Debris and overflow especially during and after a heavy downpour or storm are the leading cause being clogged gutter systems. Clogged gutters stop or restrict the natural flow of water which can start overflowing and spread through the soil and or if your lot grading is not proper, then all this water will just move towards your property. Gutter systems should ideally be cleaned out once every year. Any old and dried leaves, soil buildup, dirt and other debris should be cleaned out before the rainy season arrives.

Sewer Backup

In addition to ensuring the gutter system is free of debris, the sewer system also needs to be checked for clogging. A clogged system will cause a sewer backup which can inundate your property through the floor drains, toilets and or sinks. Backwater valves are an easy and effective option for preventing the sewer system from filling up with wastewater or storm water.

Basement Sump Pump Malfunction

The basement sump pump is what keeps your basement free from flooding. If the sump pump (most are located in the basement) malfunctions for whatever reason, then your basement will flood. To avoid this situation from happening, inspect, clean, and test the sump pump regularly. Ensure there is a battery backup for the sump pump and most importantly, fix an alarm so you are alerted anytime the sump pump stops working.

These are basic best practices that can help you avoid a potential basement flooding situation. To know more about residential basement water removal visit our basement removal page.