Sometimes, when it starts raining, it can seem like it will never stop. Of course, you know that’s not true, and eventually, there will be dry days again, but in the meantime, it’s important to keep your basement from flooding. A wet basement can cause a host of problems for your home, including, mold, mildew, and foundation problems. How can you keep your basement dry, even during a soggy season?
- It’s important to keep gutters and window wells clear, especially during the rainy season. When these elements are clogged, the water can stay too close to the house, causing rot, deterioration, and foundation issues, as well as a damp basement. Water on window wells can cause the windows to rot and rust, which can lead to basement flooding.
- Make sure water is being carried away from the house. Your downspouts should deposit water well away from the foundation, so consider purchasing black, corrugated, plastic pipe to attach to the ends of the downspouts and extend them at least 10 feet from the house. Your yard should also actively move water away from the house because the grading should slope down and away from your foundation. Make sure there’s no soil is covering siding or brick veneer, and that no mulch is touching the foundation, because this can trap moisture and introduce water into the basement.
- Take good care of your sump pump. A sump pump is an invaluable tool for keeping the basement dry. While it doesn’t prevent water from coming into the basement, it collects it and deposits it back outside. Make sure it’s working properly, and that it turns on when water reaches a certain level in the pit, turning off again when the water recedes. Check to make sure the discharge pipe is depositing water far away from your foundation walls, and extend the discharge pipe if necessary, using the same black plastic pipe you’d use to extend downspouts. Consider a backup power source for your sump pump in case you lose electricity in a storm, and consider preemptively replacing the sump pump if it’s more than five years old.
If you need help waterproofing your basement, you can trust ULB-DRY Waterproofing to get the job done right. A family-owned and operated company, ULB-DRY Waterproofing has served the greater Chicagoland area for more than ten years. We offer a full spectrum of basement services, charging reasonable rates for work that includes crack repairs, sump pump systems, basement waterproofing, basement windows, and floor repair. Our consistently high standards have made us an award-winning Chicago basement waterproofing contractor and earned us thousands of satisfied customers all over Chicago. For more information, call (708) 978-7558 or visit our website for a free quote.