Basements are highly versatile rooms within the house. They can act like a man cave, entertaining area, children’s play space, spare bedroom(s), or additional storage, among many other things. Unfortunately, some basements fall victim to flooding as a result of many different aspects. Read this guide on the various factors that cause these issues and how to make sure your basement doesn’t flood.
Maintain Solid Foundation
A home’s foundation is the most important aspect when it comes to preventing property damage. Basements on top of a poor foundation are more likely to flood. Factors such as exterior cracks, sheetrock cracks, separating walls/cabinets/bricks/doors, uneven floors, rotted wood, crumbling tile, popping nails, and joint expansion are all signs of foundational damage.
If you notice any of these issues, consult a professional repair company immediately—quick action ensures problems cannot escalate.
Check Grading
Grading is the action of measuring the slope of your ground. Obviously, it’s best to have land that slopes away from the property, limiting the chances of water pooling around your basement. If you are building your house, ensure you grade your landscape properly.
If your home has existing flooding issues, you might need to re-grade and make adjustments.
Install Drainage Systems Outside
Foundational construction and re-grading projects are expensive and time-consuming—luckily, there’s an easy and cost-effective way to limit the risk of basement flooding. Installing a quality drainage system outside can help redirect water away from your basement, minimizing the impact of poor foundation/grading in the process.
A trench drain system can help with this. Before installing it, determine which trench drain system option is best for your situation.
Understanding how to make sure your basement doesn’t flood will save you thousands of dollars and hours of heartache. In truth, many of the issues caused by basement flooding are more catastrophic to your home and wallet than the foundational problems that proceeded it, so always act fast. When in doubt, consult with a professional to determine the best solutions.
