Possibly one of the most disheartening things in life is seeing your basement full of water. Having a basement leak or flood, because of improperly sealed cracks or soil grading, can also cause significant monetary damage as well. Repairing the water damage, fixing the problem, and replacing items that were damaged or destroyed can all be very costly. So what can you do against water damage? What’s the best way to repair basement leaks? You need a good foundation, good insurance, and emergency plans to keep your items safe.
What’s the Risk?
The National Flood Insurance Program reports that floods are the number one cause for insurance claims — running around $3 billion every year. Indeed, in 2013, water damage was the main reason that over a quarter of insurance claims were filed. Even if you live in a drier area, you can still be at risk during certain seasons (or during a freak weather episode) for flooding. Research has shown that around 98% of homes with basements will have some kind of water damage. You want to prepare yourself and your home for the worst outcome and have a plan, should that day come.
What Can I Do to Keep My Basement Watertight?
One thing you may want to look very closely at is foundation repairs. If your foundation is older or poorly made, you may start to notice cracks. If they’re wider than a quarter of an inch or are jagged in blocks or bricks, you should immediately contact a foundation repair company. Water can get right through those cracks and cause considerable damage if you have a bad rain storm. Completely replacing a foundation can also be extremely costly.
Get a sump pump to pump water, just in case you should need it. It’s a lot more convenient for one to kick on as the water is coming in, than to invest it one after the fact (although that’s still a useful preventive measure for the next time). Submersible pumps last anywhere from 5 to 15 years and ones on a pedestal can last up to 30 years if they’re properly taken care of.
Also be mindful of your plantings. Remember that roots can wreak some serious havoc on foundations and other structures and watering the plants can also lead to water damage. Soil around foundations should have a slope of about six inches for every ten feet that runs horizontal. Additionally, plants should be at least two feet away from a home’s foundation to keep water from going towards it.
If My Basement Does Leak or Flood, What Should I Do?
To repair basement leaks, you’ll probably need to hire a basement waterproofing company that can come in and seal up any cracks or other damages. Airing out your basement and removing organic materials that could contribute to mold is another key part of starting to repair basement leaks and its effects. Once it’s dry, you can take steps from above to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Take measures ahead of time to keep this type of scenario from happening. Know the numbers of a few good waterproofing or water damage companies as well, so if the worst happens, you’re prepared.