Rainy Season

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

If anywhere else is like the Midwest we’ve been getting lots of rain! Rain is useful for farmers and gardeners, but at SERVPRO we try to stay ready and prepared if that rain becomes too much and finds its way into someone’s basement. Here’s some tips to avoid a leak into the home.

1. Check the basement walls. Vertical cracks can come with the age of the home, but horizontal cracks may mean a foundation issue or a lot of pressure from the outside elements. Of course, any crack vertical or horizontal needs addressed if it’s wide enough for water to seep through, but catching them early will be beneficial.
2. Clean out the gutters. Fall leaves can clog up gutters and cause the water to overflow and drop next to the foundation and cause a puddle. You want the water to flow away from the house, especially if it sits on a slope.
3. Make sure these are not bent up or damaged so there is a nice flow, and make sure there’s an extra piece on the end that releases water 3 or more feet away from the house. (And remember to put them back on after you mow!)
4. Splash Block. These are handy in case there’s a leak in the downspout to help guide the water away from the foundation. It doesn’t hurt to check these regularly for any cracks as well.
5. Build up the soil next to the foundation. Another way to help move water away from the home is to build up the soil near the home and slope it down and away. That way if there is a significant amount of rain or storm that the gutters and spouts cannot hold, the water that overflows will run away from the house.