Tips To Prevent Basement Flooding

Heavy rains can cause flooding and flooding can mean water in your basement.  Basement flooding typically happens in two different ways.  The first is caused by water seeping through cracks in the walls of your basement or through basement windows.  The second way for flooding to occur is water backing up from the pipes connected to the sewer and into your basement.  Here are a few tips to prevent basement flooding from happening:

Check Your Downspouts

If the downspouts leading from your eavestroughing are poorly connected or directed towards your house, it’s easy for the ground to become saturated and have water seep through your basement walls.  Make sure your downspouts are firmly connected with your eavestroughs and lead water away from your house.  A good rule of thumb is to have the water deposited at least 6 feet away from the house.    

Clean Your Eavestroughs

Eavestroughs that are plugged with leaves and debris will overflow allowing water to fall next to the walls of your house and basement.  Once again, saturated ground next to your basement walls will make it easier for the water to seep through and cause a flood.  Routinely inspect your eavestroughs and keep them clean.

Maintain Your Basement Drains

Many basement floods are caused by blocked drains within the basement.  It may be something as simple as a sock or plastic bag covering the floor drain that has caused the flood.  Blockages inside the drain itself can spell disaster.  Routinely inspect your basement drains, especially in rainy weather, and make sure they are clear and flowing.

Install A Backwater Valve

A backwater valve is a connection between the municipal sewer pipes and your basement drain pipes.  If water backs up from the sewer, the backwater valve closes preventing the water from entering the basement.  Installation of a backwater valve is a little more complicated if your basement has already been laid and may require some construction and plumbing skills.  However, it’s a simple addition to a basement that’s in the process of being built.