Preventing Basement Flooding: Sealing, Gutters, Sump Pump

No one wants to experience flooding or related moisture issues in their home, and the basement is typically the most common risk here due to its presence as the lowest point in most homes. At the same time, home and building owners are not simply helpless against basement flooding – there are several basic steps you can take to prevent it from ever becoming a risk on your property.

At Crown Finish, we’re proud to not only offer a wide array of basement finishing and remodeling services, but also to offer repair contractor services for any kinds of issues that arise in your home, including basement floods if they happen to arise. However, with the right attention to detail, this will never be an issue for you. This two-part blog series will go over some basic steps to avoiding basement flooding risks.

Seal Any Existing Cracks

If your basement already has existing cracks or leaks, this is always the first step. Ensure that any existing cracks and openings are properly sealed up to avoid water leakage of any kind – even small ones can create a major problem over time if not addressed.

Typically, the best material that we’ll use when assisting you with this process is epoxy, which will form a watertight seal that won’t allow any moisture to pass through. It’s also important to note that these kinds of repairs should be done on an annual basis at least, or even more frequently if you live in an area with a particularly high water table.

Gutter and Downspout Care

Several components on your property play a role in helping prevent basement flooding, and gutters and downspouts are a big one. Ensuring that these are in working order and free of any clogs or blockages is paramount to keeping basement flooding away from your property.

In addition, it’s also important to ensure that the ground around your home is sloped so that water collects away from the foundation – that way if there’s a heavy rainstorm, the water will not be able to pool near your house and enter through any cracks or entry points in the foundation.

Check Your Sump Pump

Some homes will contain a sump pump in the basement, which is typically used to keep any groundwater away from your property. This is especially important if you live in an area with a high water table and/or consistently wet weather.

If you do have a sump pump, it’s important to regularly check it for any issues such as clogs or blockages, and that it is also in proper working order. If you don’t have one but would like to install one for added protection, we can help with this process as well.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over additional tips to help you prevent basement flooding and other moisture-related issues from taking place in your home. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a reliable contractor to help you with any kind of repairs on your property, Crown Finish is here to assist. Contact us today to learn about any of our repairs, finishing jobs or numerous other services.