Preventing Basement Flooding

      With this winter’s snowfall approaching annual records and much of that snow still on the ground, this leaves a large quantity of water stored next to our homes and businesses.  When the spring thaw begins many of us will experience water in our basements.  There are a few preventative measures you can take to combat potential water problems.

      While the snow piles are still here and your downspouts (if you have gutters) are still buried one key preventative measure is to test your existing sump pump and ensure that it is working. Use a bucket of water to ensure that the pump itself is not clogged with some winter debris that might have fallen into the pit. Also check to see that the discharge line is properly hooked to the pump and that it is clear of debris so that once your pump starts, the water has somewhere to go. Based upon finances, it is good to have a sump pump with an automatic switch. This is a lever of sorts that automatically turns the pump on and off as the water rises in the pit. If you have a pump with an automatic switch, check it for obstructions since any small amounts of debris can hinder its operation. If you don’t have one than consider purchasing one since it is a better option along with making your life easier. 

     When the snow finally melts there are a number of additional items that you can do or have a contractor perform for you to keep your basement dry: 

1.   It is important that surface water from rain or snow melt sheds away from your house. If you have gutters inspect every downspout to determine if the water from your roof is being directed right to your foundation or it is being conveyed away from your house. What we normally do for our clients is install PVC pipe extenders onto the downspouts so that the rain or snow melt is conveyed away from the house to an area that is sloping away from the house. For those clients who have a flat lot, PVC pipe extenders alone do not work. Therefore, underground drywells are required so that these PVC pipe extenders have a place to discharge to. Bubblers are than added to these drywells so that the water stored in the dry well can spill out as the drywell fills. 
2.  In homes with no gutters, it is critical to ensure that the ground alongside the foundation is sloped away from the house so that the rain water or snow melt doesn’t find its way down to the foundation. A successful method that we’ve utilized is to grade the area next to the house so that it slopes at least an inch per foot from the foundation. Than by using a combination of 6 mil plastic and gravel create a barrier next to the foundation so that water never has a chance to build up there. If you are interested in specific details on how to do this let me know.

     Finally, if you do have water in the basement please be careful of the cures that people recommend to you.  A thorough analysis of the source of the water is required by you or a competent contractor prior to investing in any fixes. Like everything else in life do your homework and eliminate the obvious. These few suggestions hopefully will get you started in the right direction.

Seth Baldelli

Licensed Construction Supervisor

DRG INC.

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