If you recently moved to a flood-prone area, you may be looking for advice to prevent basement water damage. Maybe your basement has flooded in the past, and you never want to experience that again. Whatever the case, a little prevention can help keep your basement dry. And if your basement ever floods, rest assured that a water damage restoration company can help restore your belongings.

Consequences of a Flooded Basement

  • Mold growth: It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to start growing after a flood. Significant mold growth could make your home uninhabitable until it’s cleaned up.
  • Structural damage: The combination of water and mold can seriously harm your walls, floors, and ceilings. The longer the structure remains wet, the worse the damage.
  • Electrical hazards: Electricity and water don’t mix. Attempting to use electrical devices in a wet environment could cause electrocution. Furthermore, water is corrosive and could damage your wiring.
  • Biohazards: Stormwater may contain raw sewage or other biohazards. Exposure to harmful bacteria, parasites, and pathogens may adversely affect your health.

Tips for Preventing a Flooded Basement

  • Seal foundation cracks: Inspect your interior and exterior foundation walls for fissures. You can repair small hairline cracks with caulk, while larger gaps may require professional intervention.
  • Apply a waterproof coating: Are your basement walls made of porous concrete or masonry? A waterproof coating fills every pore to create a solid, impenetrable seal. Just be aware that water can still enter from above or below the walls.
  • Improve the soil grading: The ground on your property should slope away from the foundation. Add soil as needed to guide runoff where you want it, or add a drainage system to help divert excessive rainwater.
  • Clean the gutters: Rain can pour over the sides of your clogged gutters and splash up against the foundation. To prevent this major cause of flooding, clean your gutters at least twice a year.
  • Extend the downspouts: Reduce the soil saturation near your basement walls by installing downspouts that deposit rainwater six feet from the foundation.
  • Install window well covers: Not only does this help keep children and critters from falling into your window wells, but it also directs rainfall away from your basement windows. Inspect your covers regularly and repair any leaks that develop.
  • Install a sump pump: Sump pumps sit in a pit dug in the lowest part of your home. When a torrential downpour raises the groundwater level, this appliance pumps out the water to help prevent a flooded basement.

Despite your best efforts to prevent basement flooding, water damage may still occur. That’s when you need emergency water damage services from DKI. With nearly 50 years of experience and over 200 locations nationwide, we are among the oldest and largest restoration specialists in North America. In the unfortunate event that you require water damage restoration, please call us right away at 866.277.2977 to request 24-hour emergency service.