Keep Your Basement Dry: Tips and Tricks
By Kayla Keena
Whether you just bought your home, planning to stay in your current home for the foreseeable future, or thinking about selling, prioritizing basic home maintenance is key. For example, water should never be entering your basement and damaging it. However, since issues occur and bad weather happens, there are different steps you can take to properly prepare and keep your basement safe. If you're seeking ways to keep your basement dry, these tips and tricks will make all the difference.
Extend Your Downspouts
By simply adding extensions to your gutters, you allow them to dump rainwater farther away from your home. Make sure your extensions are at least five feet in length to ensure water doesn't come anywhere near your basement. Regardless of the season, you need to remain cognizant of the extensions in your yard. Issues can occur if you run them over with a lawn mower, or if they get clogged with debris, snow, or ice.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
If there are gaps or cracks in the pipes or walls of your basement, they unfortunately can lead to a leak. Make sure you seal any gaps or cracks with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement immediately. Taking this step will prevent water from coming into the basement. This won't be a forever fix, but it will temporarily keep the situation under control.
Handle Issues Promptly
Damaging weather, sewer backup, general plumbing issues, and larger foundational cracks are some other problems that may occur. The best advice is to handle these unfortunate situations promptly. If you identify a situation and don't do anything about it, water will get into your basement. The longer you wait, the worse it will be!
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