HOW TO Keep Your Basement Dry this Spring!

Exciting news! It’s FINALLY warming up this week in the Quad Cities! We’re so close to entering into the official spring season when the snow will be completely melted. Then, most likely the worst weather we will have to encounter are those nasty rain storms.. and that dreaded wet basement.

Which is completely fine if you are one of the lucky few who have never had a problem with basement flooding. However, if your luck tends to be more like mine, you’ve probably run into this problem at least once in the springtime.

The Truth behind wet basements

The common misconception is that a wet basement must be obvious (either trickling water or standing in a few inches of it) OR it’s not considered a problem. Sadly, this is not the truth. In reality a wet basement can be much less apparent, the basement can simply have a higher humidity and musty smell for early problem signs. Either way, it’s a good idea to assess your home ever spring to make sure you are well-prepared for the season changeover.

Here are a few tips on how to keep your basement dry this spring:

Make sure to keep your gutters debris-free and positioned pointing AWAY from your foundation. The usual recommendation is to have that rain storm water come out at least 3 feet away from your house.
Check your foundation to insure there are no cracks. A minor crack can be fixed with a sealant, but a major crack may require a professional.
Inspect your sump pump and clear it of all debris. If you have a portable pump, make sure it is connected to a power source. You should consider a battery backup if you do not already have some kind of fail-safe system in place.
Consider having your septic tank cleaned or your sewer inspected. A hard rain storm could help that clogged sewer rear its’ nasty head..
Look over your current property insurance to confirm that you have sufficient coverage. Did you refinish your basement in the last year? Lots of insurance coverage options will not cover you for flooding or sewer backup.

These options should not only help you this year, but for years to come. However, if you’re in a similar situation to my home (where the flooding seems to come back year after year), you might want to replace your sump pump!