Preventing Water Damage in Basement
Avoiding water damage at your property should be a priority. Every year thousands are New Hampshire and Massachusetts basements suffer from flooding. This costs millions of dollars in damage and provides endless frustration to owners. Rest assured that there are precautions you can take to protect yourself and reduce the possibility of a flooded basement.
Below are three simple strategies that you can employ to help prevent costly water damage at your property. Please understand these ideas are not a total solution, but they serve as a large step in the right direction towards your quest to avoid basement flooding…
1) Gutters: These simple devices serve to divert rain water away from your home. Do you have gutters? If not, have a qualified contractor review your property to discuss options for installation. Are they clean? Gutters can accumulate dirt, debris, and leaves. Fall and spring are the best times to clean them out. Are the downspouts channeling water away from your foundation? Gutters can create problems such as pooling near the foundation if they are not directed properly.
2) Grading: Believe it or not the slope of your property can have a huge impact on flooding. Inspect your property during the next rain storm. Do you have pooling in areas around the foundation? If there are apparent low spots that are susceptible to accumulating water, you could have a problem. We suggest a property regrade that will divert water away from your home. Seek the counsel of a qualified landscaper or excavation contractor.
3) Sump Pump: As ground water levels rise a sump pump can come to the rescue. This important device works to keep the area under a building dry. They are typically installed in the lowest area of a basement in a special pit. As water accumulates in the pit, the pump will work to drive water away from the building. When planning the installation, make sure to take into account the power source of the pump. Make sure to have a backup solution in the event power is lost.
If you are submitting a water damage claim to your insurance carrier for your New Hampshire or Massachusetts property, let them know you are using Soil-Away.
