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Water entering your basement due to drainage problems, flash floods, appliance failures, or other reasons can cause severe damage to your home. Here’s what you can do to stop water from accumulating in your basement:
Keep Water Out of Your Basement
1. Clean Rain Gutters
Blocked gutters can cause roof water to pour directly into your home’s foundation, increasing the risk of basement flooding. Remove debris, such as leaves or branches, from gutters and check for loose particles if you have asphalt roofing. Tighten any loose gutter straps and spout extensions. If downspouts are clogged, clear them by flushing with a garden hose.
2. Extend Downspouts
To protect your basement from excess water, downspouts should extend at least five feet away from your house. Add plastic or metal extensions, or consider installing an underground drain pipe to send gutter run-off away from your home.
3. Slope the Ground Away from Your Foundation
Ensure the ground next to your foundation slopes away to divert rainwater. The “crown” of dirt around your house should slope at least six inches over the first 10 feet in all directions.
4. Seal Gaps in the Basement
Water may leak into your basement through gaps around plumbing pipes or cracks in concrete walls. Seal these with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement. If water comes through the floor, sealing gaps won’t solve the problem—you’ll need to address the groundwater issue.
5. Install a French Drain
For significant water issues, install a curtain drain, like a French drain. This drainage system includes underground pipes that divert water away from your home’s foundation.
6. Waterproof Interior Basement Walls
Condensation on basement walls can be prevented by applying waterproof sealants. Use concrete coatings, silicate-based sealers, waterproofing paint, or plastic sheets. For persistent issues, waterproof the exterior walls of your basement—though this involves excavating around the house and can be costly.
7. Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump protects against flooding by pumping out water that accumulates in the sump basin. When the water level rises, the sump pump automatically discharges the water outside your house. Learn how to select and test a sump pump to ensure your home is protected.
Contact PuroClean of Ann Arbor to Keep Water Out of Your Basement
If your basement has already flooded, do not enter until it has been inspected for safety. Avoid direct contact with floodwater due to potential hazards. Call a water damage contractor immediately for help. For expert flood water damage repair and mold remediation, contact PuroClean of Ann Arbor at (734) 926-5900. We’re available to assist you 24/7.
PuroClean of Ann Arbor 