Prevent your Basement from Flooding with these Tips

Not only is basement flooding a hassle but it could also ruin whatever items you choose to store down there. Don’t set yourself up for flooding and follow the tips provided to help ensure your basement stays dry. Even if your basement isn’t prone to flooding it would be wise to take the extra precaution because it only takes one bad storm to turn your basement into your own indoor lake.

There could be many reasons why your basement is flooding or could flood. Some of those reasons include, outside or inside draining problems, blocked gutters, foundation leaks, and problems with or the lack of a sump pump. Making sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and unclogged of any leaves, dirt, or other debris is and easy way to prevent from any flooding in your basement to occur. If they are clogged it will force the water to go somewhere else and by somewhere else I mean your basement.

If you are experience draining issues with either your inside pipes such as a slow draining shower or sinks you have a problem with your main connection to the main sewer line. You can try unblocking the drain yourself with either a product to pour down the drain or using a plunger however if it persists or gets worse you should call a professional.

Poorly draining outside pipes causing water to seep into your basement through the ground is a little trickier. The best way to solve this issue is to look into installing what is called French drains. They are made of broken tile or ceramic and sit around the outside foundation of your house helping water drain away from it. If these don’t help then you most likely have a problem with the entire lot your house sits on and should consult a professional on the steps you need to take.
Sump pumps can help anyone who has recurring flooding in their basement. If you have a sump pump and your basement is still flooding than you should look into replacing it.

Checking your home’s foundation for any cracks that could because leakage will not only prevent flooding but will also save you money if you catch any problems that could cause you more trouble in the future if not taken care of. Small cracks can be easily fixed be using caulk however any other noticeable fissures in your home’s foundation should be look at by a professional. Remember if it is a pricey job now it will only get more expensive the longer you wait to fix it. There is no room to be cheap when it comes to the upkeep of you and your family’s home.

Avoid Winter Plumbing Problems

The winter months can be very harsh on a home’s plumbing system, especially if it is an older home. Knowing how to prevent your home from suffering from winter plumbing issues can save you time and a lot of frustration. Continue to read the following tips on winterizing your homes plumbing system before it’s too late.

In most homes the kitchen sink is located on the outside of the wall facing a window. The pipes located on the outside of the wall are more likely to suffer from problems like freezing as opposed to pipes located on the inside of the walls. To prevent your kitchen sink pipes from freezing try keeping the cabinet doors open. Keeping the doors open may not look to attractive, however it will let more warm air in preventing the pipes from freezing. If this doesn’t work try putting a space heater near the cabinet doors or in your kitchen, increasing the amount of heat being exposed to the pipes. Once the winter is over and the weather begins to get warmer you should think about re-insulating your sinks pipes.

Another precaution you should always take when winterizing the plumbing system in your home is having a professional come out and check on appliances such as your boiler, furnace, septic tank, and water heater. If these big appliances aren’t checked or serviced before the cold months you could end up digging yourself a financial hole in addition to the inconvenience it will cause you. If your septic tank isn’t serviced and pumped before the winter months it could end up causing a stoppage and will be more expensive for a professional to dig through frozen ground. Water heaters are the most common appliance to cause trouble in the winter and if not properly checked it could result in you and your family taking a lot of cold showers.