WINTER BASEMENT TIPS
With snow and ice piling up during the winter, and when temperatures begin to warm the melting water than results can seep into your basement and cause untold trouble. Every problem has a solution, however. Snow came early for most of us this year, but you can still take steps now to make sure your home can handle the winter and come out damage-free when the snow melts in the early spring.
Here’s a few tips to help winterize your home and basement for this winter:
SNOW SHOVELING
When you are clearing your driveway of the snow, also shovel near the house and move the snow away from your foundation walls. Otherwise, it will harden into a wall of thick snow and ice and could potentially seep into your basement when the temperatures warm. It’s a simple step and it will make a big difference.
KEEP YOUR GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS CLEAR
Your gutters and downspouts have a job to do: direct rainwater and melted snow safely away from your home and your home’s foundation. If they are broken, clogged, missing, or otherwise damaged they can’t do this job. Either do it yourself or hire a pro to clean dirt, leaves, twigs, and debris out of the gutters and make sure everything is in good working order. Also make sure downspouts are in place and directing water a safe distance from the home.
PROBLEMS WITH PIPES
Like everything, pipes can also freeze. When frozen, they tend to crack and there comes a flood. Make sure all pipes are well-insulated to minimize the risk of freezing. If you are going to be out of town for a while, make sure the heat is kept on warm enough, so the pipes don’t freeze.
CHECK THE SUMP PUMP
Double check the sump pump and its back up power source. Should it fail to work properly, you are looking at a heap of trouble. Does it have its own power supply (sumps should even be on their own circuit). Do you have a battery back up for the sump pump in the event of a power outage?
If you notice a basement leak, call a professional foundation repair company for help right away. The longer water seepage goes on the more work it takes and cost to repair it. Always good to be prepared ahead of time.