Winter Foundation Cracking
The extreme weather conditions in Northeast Ohio can play havoc in many homes in the area. January’s temperatures are especially harsh with the freezing ice and snow storms we experience every winter. Plus, when a warm, sunny day melts the snow, it means a flooded basement if we own an older home with basement waterproofing issues. A flooded basement is a big deal. Not only are we dealing with ruined stored items, but we can also be dealing with foundation problems as well. Wet basement walls can lead to cracked or bowed walls. If ignored, those cracked or bowed walls can become a foundation nightmare for you. Keep in mind, snow or extreme temperatures are not the only problems we have in the Northeast, torrential rains are very common in the region, making flooded basement a common occurrence.
For many homeowners in Alliance, Ohio, basement waterproofing issues are not a problem. There are many construction homes in the area where the home is only a few years old, or is a new construction. But, for many other homeowners, who own an older home, a leaky basement is a very common problem.
If you own an older home, you might be asking:
Why is the basement of my home wet or flooded?
There are several reasons why your Alliance, Ohio home has a flooded basement.
- Drainage problems
- Gutters or lose spouting issues
- Lack of sealant
- Unleveled drainage
If you have an older home, the sealant applied during construction might be gone or not doing the job properly. Therefore, seepage or water can get into the foundation and basement of the home. Also, the contraction and expansion of the soil can make crevices along the foundation allowing water and humidity to get into the basement.
Clogged gutters are another reason water might be getting into the basement of the home. If you don’t clean the gutters yearly to get rid of leaves and debris, they may be clogged. And, if they are clogged, the water cannot drain properly and may be pooling around the foundation and finding a way to the basement. Clean gutters are your first line of defense to keeping water away from the foundation.
If your driveway or flower beds are draining towards the foundation, the water will find a way to the basement of the home. Make sure the driveway is leveled, and there is no water pooling around the foundation. If you are over-mulching your flower beds, and the rainwater is draining towards the foundation of the home, you will find the basement walls wet or water sitting on the basement floor. Make sure the mulching is leveled, and rainwater is draining away from the foundation of the home.
A flooded basement is a serious issue for many families across the country. Some of them wake up to find a foot or more of water in the basement of their home after a torrential storm. The dangers of electrocution, clean-up, rotten wood, and mold growth are very serious. Not to mention the financial cost these families will incur disposing and cleaning the basement.
Even though a flooded basement can happen because of bursting pipes in the home, it is a more common occurrence due to torrential rains, and melted snow. Also, a bursting pipe and all the costs associated with it can be covered by your home insurance company. A flooded basement needs to be covered with a flood insurance coverage that many homes do not carry. Either way, you need to take care of the health of your home and make sure your basement and pipes are healthy and working properly.
What can I do to prevent water in the basement?
- Fix and clean the gutters in your home. Make sure the water flow is uninterrupted and the rainwater is draining at least 10ft. away from the foundation. Replace or fix loose spouting to keep water from pooling around the foundation of the home.
- Make sure the driveway or walkways are leveled. The front and backyard should be sloping away from the foundation, and the water drainage as well. If you need to create a slope to help with the drainage, that is a possible fix to your problem.
- A leaky pipe in the basement can create a lot of damage in a very short period of time. Checking the basement for water damage should be done regularly especially if you have an older home.
- Level your flower beds. Over mulching can lead to water seeping into the basement of the home with horrible consequences. Make sure you do not have mounds of mulch on the flower beds, they need to be leveled to avoid seepage.
- Test the sump pump regularly. Test the battery backup yearly to make sure it is ready in case you need it.
There are many benefits associated with a finished basement. For example, if you have been thinking to finish the basement to get a home office, a playroom for the kids, or a nice family room, waterproofing the basement and then finishing it can give you those rooms you want and enjoy them for many years to come.
At Pioneer Basement Solutions, we have an experienced team to waterproof the basement of your home. We can provide you with a hassle-free consultation and quote. With an A+ accreditation at the Better Business Bureau(BBB) and a long history in the community, we are the team to call for all your basement waterproofing needs.