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Spring is known for some unpredictable weather. Blue sunny skies one day, and heavy rains the next. Flooding in your basement is mostly likely to happen during these periods of heavy rainfall or when the winter snow is quickly melting during a spring thaw. Standing water in your basement not only leads to costly damage to your property and possessions, but it can also lead to mold and mildew, which can greatly affect your health and the air you breathe in your home.
Below you will find some easy tips to prepare your home for this time of year. These tips can help you to take action to prevent flooding, and will save you money and unnecessary stress.
1. Free your home of any leftover ice or snow.
Snow can melt and then refreeze in foundation cracks for long periods of time. This can cause the integrity of your home to weaken, and make a leak more likely. Clearing the snow or making sure that any water as a result of the snow melt is moved away from your home is key.
2. Stop rain from entering your home through basement windows.
If you have below-grade basement windows, consider using window well covers. They are an effective solution to preventing rain water from coming into the house through those windows.
3. Exterior maintenance.
Clearing your gutters of all debris, extending your downspout lines away from the foundation and regarding the soil away from your home are easy ways to ensure proper water flow so that your home stays dry. If you have below-grade basement windows, window well covers are also an effective solution to prevent rain water from entering the inside of the home.
4. Maintain your Sump Pump System.
If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure that it is plugged in and working properly. When installed correctly and in working order, your sump pump can collect water and push it outside of the house. It is important to clean and inspect your system each spring before the heavy rains begin.
5. Understand your insurance policy.
Carefully check your insurance policy to see if common plumbing leaks or water damage is covered. Standard policies don’t usually cover flooding, and may require additional coverage.
6. Know who to call in the event of a flood or emergency.
A reputable contractor will be able to help if your basement does flood. Check their references and make sure their program includes emergency response so that your house is a priority during a flood or other time of need.
