A flooded basement is a nightmare that’s worth taking a few extra steps to try and prevent. There can be a variety of causes of basement flooding, so there are also a variety of different precautions for people to take.
Sometimes your basement will flood even in dry weather because of internal sources. These include:
- Toilet backups and clogs
- Busted plumbing and dysfunctional pipes
- Sewage backup or punctured sanitary lateral
Of course, flooding from the outside is a concern, too. External sources include:
- Snow or rain pouring down from the surface
- Water seeping up through a crack in the foundation
- A leak from your sprinklers breaking through your unsealed basement walls or ceiling
Here are some ideas on how to take care of the problem before it even happens.
Easy Ways to Avoid Basement Flooding
Vigilance is essential! Checking on your foundation each year and making sure your pipes are not being eroded are helpful ways to prevent internal flooding. Hiring a professional to do an annual full-house check would be the safest option, but even looking for yourself is better than nothing.
Making sure no water gets backed up or clogs occur in the levels above your basement is another precaution to keep in mind.
If you’re more worried about water coming in from the outside, make sure the ground around your house is graded. This means your yard is sloped so that the precipitation runs downhill. Making sure your gutters are clean and are redirecting rain away from the basement also helps.
Sump Pumps & Ejector Pumps
If you’re willing to make a more serious investment in preventing flooding, pumps are the best options.
Sump pumps are devices that can be installed under the floor of your basement or crawlspace. They work like a large floor drain that pipes any accumulated water from the basement outside. Some people use automated sump pumps and even install multiple at once.
Ejector pumps are often installed alongside a basement bathroom. They are used to pump the water out into the sewer line. Both ejectors and sumps depend on electricity, though, so it’s best to connect them to a backup generator.
If you are looking for some professionals to help with plumbing in your basement or anywhere else in your house, all you have to do is call [phone] to reach Pratt Plumbing.
