What To Do When Your Basement Floods

Now that Spring has sprung, the old saying goes “April Showers bring May flowers” and sometimes all of that rain can even bring a flood in your house. This usually occurs when rainfall has been heavy and nonstop. However, there are many things that you can do once you have discovered the unfortunate truth that your basement has flooded.  The best method is prevention. In the following article by This Old House, they discuss the best ways to prevent your basement from flooding:

When clogged gutters overflow, water can pool around your foundation. Remove any leaves and debris left over from winter, then install leaf guards and downspout extenders to direct water 10 feet from the house.

Change The Grade
Make sure surrounding soil is pitched away from the house at a slope of at least 1/4 inch per foot so that water drains toward your yard, not your foundation. Simply add soil, raking it smooth, until the grade is highest at the house’s perimeter.

Keep Trees in Check
Shade trees with aggressive roots, like silver maples, should be planted at least 20 feet from your house to protect your foundation. Smaller species, like white fir, require only 10 to 15 feet of clearance.

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This are the best ways that you can keep water out of your basement. If your basement flooding isn’t anything new for you, then it might be time to invest in a sump pump. These devices are amazing and can really prevent major headaches that come along with a flooded basement. In the following article by Black Diamond, they discuss what a sump pump can do for you:

• Ensure the sump pump is correctly sized. A sump pump must have the capacity to move sufficient amounts of water to keep your basement, crawl space and other lower-level areas dry. A properly-sized pump requires an adequate level of head pressure, sometimes known as total developed head. Head pressure indicates how high the pump can raise water to remove it from your basement. For example, if you’re pulling water out of a sump pit that’s two feet deep and sending it up an eight-foot wall, the head pressure must be at least 10 feet to provide proper water removal.
• Install a sump pump that has an emergency alarm. This alarm will alert you if critical events occur, such as loss of electrical power, dead battery or pump failure.
• Make sure the sump pump you choose is rugged enough to function under real-world conditions in your home. Cast-iron sump pumps are very tough and will work under most adverse conditions. Other types of pumps are made of plastic, stainless steel or other lighter, less sturdy material.
• Ensure the pump will operate with standard 110-volt household electric current and that the cord is long enough to reach a power outlet. Sump pumps shouldn’t be plugged into extension cords.
• Don’t buy a pump with more horsepower than you need. A one-quarter to one-third horsepower pump will generally be powerful enough for most situations.

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In some areas, the rain is inevitable. It is a natural part of the spring and summertime. By following these tips you will be able to prevent a flood from happening in your basement. However, a sump pump will do a great job at saving you from getting a headache from a flood in the first place. It will also prevent you from the health and safety hazards associated with a flooded basements.