It’s the middle of the night and you’re laying in bed. Wide awake you can hear the sound of rushing water outside of your window. It’s been raining since noon with no end in sight.  You can’t go to sleep, because you can only think of one thing—the basement.

ceilings and Floors,fungus mold weathered wall

If you are a homeowner that has a basement, you know the feeling this feeling. The feeling of impending doom every time a rainstorm comes about.  If water gets in your beautifully finished basement, your toast.  But, what can you do? There’s no way to stop the rain, right?

Right. However, there are things you can do to help prevent damage…and here are a few!

Make Sure Your Sump Pump is Working

How To Prevent Water Damage in Your Basement - Sump Pump

A sump pump is a piece of equipment installed in your basement to help prevent water from backing up. In the event of a rainstorm, a sump pump will move excess water out of your basement helping to keep the damage at bay.  If you don’t have a sump pump, get one.

If you do have a sump pump, make sure to check it regularly to ensure it is working properly. Unplug the sump pump and plug it back in to make sure it turns on. If it runs on battery, test it every 2-3 and even more often during the rainy season!

Add Gutter Extensions

One of the reasons water finds its way into the basement during a rainstorm is because it is being directed there.  When water flows down your gutters, most often it is dumped right next to the house. To prevent water from backing up, purchase gutter extensions that empty the water further away from your house in the middle of your lawn.

Inspect and Repair Your Foundation

If you have cracks in your foundation, it is much easier for water to seep in. Therefore, if you want to prevent water damage you should have your foundation inspected and repaired before the heaviest rain season.  Although this type of repair can be costly, it is most certainly worth it to save you from the cost of the damage a crack in the foundation could cause.

 

Even if you do all of these things to keep your basement water free, it is always a good idea to have a handy professional like Beltway Builders on call!