Basements are the most common
place for water damage to occur within a home. Basement
water damage can happen due to a number of reasons. Flooding from
outside, broken/burst pipes, and broken water heaters or other appliances are
just a number of common ways that home basements suffer water damage. Not all
water damage is preventable, but there are some precautions you can take to
reduce the risk of water damage happening to you. Below are five helpful tips
for what you can do to keep water damage out of your basement as recommended by
our professional restoration experts at ERX in Henderson?
Clean the Rain Gutters Frequently
A host of problems can develop if
you don’t keep your rain gutters cleaned. Only one of which is water damage in
your basement. This occurs as the rain gutters overflow and water spills out of
them near the foundation of your home. Because the water is accumulating so
close to the foundation, it doesn’t take long for it to find any weak spots in
your foundation and leak into your basement. Be sure to clean out the rain
gutters and consider having them inspected routinely to make sure they are
working optimally.
Inspect For and Repair Cracks In the Foundation
weak spots it is probably only a
matter of time until water begins leaking into your basement. You should take
the time to have your foundation regularly inspected for cracks and weak spots.
If you detect any, have them repaired immediately before any problems have time
to develop. On a side note, be sure to have the basement area inspected for
mold. Any signs of mold growth can indicate a water problem that you might not
notice otherwise.
Keep a Sump Pump On Hand
If your home has a sump pump,
you’ve already got a great tool in your arsenal for preventing water damage.
However, simply owning a sump pump doesn’t give you a “get out of jail free”
card – you’ve got to maintain it too.
If you know a storm is headed
your way, check to make sure your sump pump is working properly and is plugged
in. Also, consider investing in a generator for your sump pump and a
replacement to keep on hand, just in case you lose power or the pump fails when
you need it most. Keep in mind, if your basement floods as a result of a broken
sump pump, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover the damage.
Inspect Sewers and Septic Systems
The worst-case scenario for water
damage is when the water contains sewage. Not only is the sewage extremely
hazardous to your health, but it also leads to much more severe damage. To keep
this from happening to you, you should have your sewer or septic tank regularly
cleaned and inspected. It may be a hassle to get the inspection set up, but it
could save you from a very messy situation down the road.
Landscape Your Yard Properly
Proper landscaping is a
surprisingly important factor for preventing flood damage in your basement.
Landscaping features as trivial as the slope of your yard or the shape of your
flower bed can cause or prevent flooding. The basic principle to follow here is
to slope your yard so water drains away from your home and so that water
doesn’t just pool in one spot.
Hopefully, these tips will help
you keep water damage out of your basement and out of your home.
Nonetheless, if you do experience water damage of any kind, don’t hesitate to
give us a call at ERX in Henderson.
