When your basement floods, the results can be even more severe than you first realize. Not only is there the damage to your home to contend with, but there’s also the very real health risk associated with dampness in your residence to consider. If your basement floods frequently, there’s also the rising insurance rates and depreciation of your property value to reflect on. Taken all together, these reasons make for a sensible argument to do all that you can to prevent basement floods.
Why Basements Flood
Floods most commonly occur in spring when seasonal thawing rapidly melts snow and there are also periods of substantial rainfall. Your basement may be vulnerable for a number of reasons including but not limited to:
Cracks and fissures in your home’s foundation or in basement walls.
Inadequate or faulty drainage on your property.
Failure of weeping tiles—drainage in your building’s foundation that’s designed to direct ground water away from the structure.
Failure of a sump pump.
Excess water or a blockage in a nearby sewer causes a backup that pushes sewage into your Calgary home via your basement floor drain.
Preventive Measures
There are several areas homeowners can direct their resources at that can go a substantial way towards circumnavigating potential basement flooding. Here are a few that can make a significant difference.
Seal all cracks and fissures in structural surfaces. Carefully examine the external foundation, the basement walls and the basement floor for breakages. Have any you find sealed by a qualified contractor.
Clear debris away from storm sewer grates. Melting snow and rainwater that is free to enter the sewer system won’t get redirected towards your home.
Clean and repair eavestroughs and downspouts. The main goal is to ensure that water gets deposited a good distance away from the foundation of your home, ideally a solid six feet or more. This means water shouldn’t overflow from the eavestroughs and this is why it’s best if they’re kept clear of debris. If they overflow even after they’ve been cleaned, it’s a good idea to replace them with bigger eavestroughs. The downspouts need to be directed away from your home, towards your backyard or the street. If they’re currently directed towards the weeping tile, disconnect and redirect them.
Lot grading. If your lot slopes towards your home, your foundation drainage can become overwhelmed and your basement will eventually flood. If this is the case with your home, grade the lot so that the land around the foundation of your home slopes outward.
Flood-proofing devices. These include sump pumps, sump pits and backwater valves. You’ll likely need permits and an inspection for these devices. Please check with your municipality.
Drain Cleaning
In Calgary, The Drain Doctor™ technicians can assist you with your flooded basement. We also provide FREE maintenance so that you can prevent floods from occurring in the first place. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.