Keep Your Basement Dry!

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid a flooded basement by directing outside water away from your home and keeping your foundation in good condition.

Located below grade and surrounded by soil, your basement is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home, prone to flooding from seasonal storms, melt water, burst washing machine hoses, failed sump pumps and leaking water heaters. Among the problems caused by wet basements are mold contamination, building rot, peeling paint, foundation collapse and termite damage.  In fact, 98% of Americans’ basements will experience water damage at some point! That seems bleak, but there are many ways you can protect your basement from water damage.

First, see our comprehensive article on ways to prevent water damage from household appliance malfunctions. And read on for methods you can use to stop outside water from getting inside your basement and wreaking havoc.

The key to keeping water out is to keep it away from your home’s foundation and close up any potential cracks or leaks. The most common causes of wet basements are poor roof drainage and improper site grading. Soil releases water it has absorbed when it rains or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the basement through leaks or cracks.

Protecting, repairing and waterproofing your basement will greatly reduce the risk of damage caused by moisture or water. 

Direct Water Away from Your Foundation

Your goal is to have water flow freely away from the foundation instead of toward it, and never have it pool near your home.

• Gutters and downspouts should be properly installed and maintained so that they move rainwater and snow melt at least 10 feet from your home.
• Your yard should be sloped away from your home for a distance of 10 to 15 feet, and low spots should be evened out to prevent water from pooling.
• If any side of your home faces an unavoidable upward slope, direct water around to the downhill side by creating shallow ditches called swales.

Repair Your Foundation

Water and moisture will find a way into your basement through small cracks or holes in the foundation, due to poor workmanship during construction, water pressure from the outside or settling of your house. 

Check your entire basement for moisture, leaking or discoloration, which are signs that water may be entering through cracks or holes. Then, get to work repairing your foundation.

• Fill small hairline cracks and holes with a mixture of epoxy and latex cement.
• Fill cracks larger than 1/8-inch with a fairly stiff mortar made from one part cement, two parts fine sand and a little water. Press the mortar firmly into all parts of the cracks and holes to eliminate air bubbles. 

Seal Your Walls and Floor

Once you’ve diverted runoff away from the foundation and repaired any cracks and holes, a final step is to apply a waterproof sealant to your walls and floor. Experts recommend using sodium silicate, a water-based mixture that will penetrate the substrate by up to 4 inches. 

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

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SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

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When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791