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We’re all excited for those telltale signs of spring—flowers blooming, warmer temperatures, and more daylight. But if you live in an area that’s prone to seasonal thunderstorms, you might be worried about basement flooding. If your basement has ever been damaged by water, you know just how stressful it can be. With a few preventative measures, you can greatly reduce your risk of a flooded basement. Follow these smart maintenance tips from the professionals at Fosh Plumbing & Heating Inc. if you’re wondering how to prevent basement flooding during heavy rain.

Clean and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts

One of the easiest ways you can learn how to fix basement flooding for good is by keeping your gutters and downspouts free of debris. During heavy rains, blocked gutters won’t drain properly, forcing water to pool around the foundation of your home. Ensure your downspouts are positioned away from the foundation, directing water at least three feet from your home. To achieve this distance, you can install downspout extensions or troughs. 

Landscape Your Yard Correctly

Did you know the slope of your yard can contribute to basement flooding? When it rains, the water has to go somewhere, and ideally, that is away from your foundation. To avoid water pooling around your home, the ground should always slope away from your home. 

If you’re wondering how to prevent basement flooding during heavy rain, try these landscaping solutions:

• Divert downspouts
• Install a rain garden
• Add mulch
• Utilize native plants to prevent soil erosion
• Add drainage near the driveway
• Dig out a swale that will divert rainwater
• Install a rain barrel

Repair Foundation Cracks

To prevent basement flooding, it’s a smart idea to visually inspect your home’s exterior foundation as well as your basement’s walls and floors regularly. Cracks in the foundation will inevitably let water in. If you spot any cracks, use epoxy to fill them. If water is still getting in, this could be a sign of a more serious foundation problem. Call a professional right away. 

Install a Sump Pump

Having a sump pump in your basement is one of the best ways to prevent flooding and water damage. An automatic sump pump is installed beneath the ground level in your basement. The pump acts as a floor drain, removing groundwater before it can rise to the surface. It then redirects floodwater away from the foundation of your home and out of harm’s way. Sump pump failure is one of the main causes of basement flooding, so ensure your sump pump is maintained and working properly. 

Consider a Generator

Your sump pump only works if your home has power. If you live somewhere that often experiences power outages from bad storms, a back-up generator may be a smart investment. At Fosh, our comprehensive generator services include maintenance, inspection, repair, installation, load bank testing, and temporary generator power to keep your home up and running.

How to Fix Basement Flooding

If the inevitable happens and you do experience water damage in your basement, there are a few things you can do:

• Never enter a flooded basement before speaking with a plumber or restoration expert.
• Turn off all power in your home if the circuit breaker isn’t located in your basement.
• Safely remove as much water as you can with a wet-vac the following day.
• Use dehumidifiers and fans to dry the area out.
• Take the necessary steps to prevent mold growth.

Does your basement flood every time it rains? This could be due to numerous factors, including everything mentioned above. If you can’t seem to pinpoint the problem, connect with the flooded basement restoration experts at Fosh Plumbing & Heating Inc.! Not only can we diagnose the problem, but we can also install the right equipment to prevent flooding from ever happening again. Contact us today to request an estimate or schedule an appointment.