3 Things To Do If You Have A Basement Flooding Problem

Most people love finding a home that has a finished basement. They can either store their extra things down there or create extra rooms. However, not many people give a thought to whether or not the basement has a flooding problem. It's not a good feeling to put your things in the basement, only to see them destroyed after a massive rainstorm causes it to flood. Here are three things you need to do if you have a basement flooding problem.

1. Inspect around the outside foundation.

The first thing you need to do when it comes to waterproofing your basement is inspect around the foundation of your house. If you have a flooding problem in the basement, the root cause can usually be determined from this inspection. Does the ground slope toward your foundation or away from it? Are the downspouts leading water and debris at least five feet away from your foundation? If you can answer yes to either of those questions, you have likely found what is causing your basement flooding problem.

If the ground is sloped toward your basement instead of away from it, you should add more dirt around the foundation so you can create the away slope yourself. This will likely require regular monitoring to ensure your basement remains waterproof. Should it be the downspouts that cause your basement flooding problem, simply lengthening your downspout so that it gets rid of the water five feet away from your foundation should do the trick.

2. Look very carefully at the walls inside the basement.

If you didn't find any problems with your outside foundation, then the next thing you need to do is look carefully at your basement walls. It could be that there are cracks and holes in the walls that are allowing water to seep through and flood the basement. One thing that can help with this particular basement flooding issue is to apply a waterproofing agent to the inside walls. How does it work? You mix the waterproofing agent with water and apply it to your walls like you would apply paint. As the material dries, it becomes solid and seals any cracks that are in the walls.

3. Ask about getting a sump pump installed.

If you have done everything else that you can possibly do and still have a flooding issue in your basement, you should consider speaking with a basement waterproofing professional about getting a sump pump installed. The sump pump takes all of the excess water that collects in the sump basin and pumps it out and away from your home.

The sump pump option is generally only used in basements that have flooding regularly. Having a sump pump installed can be pricey, depending on the area where you live, but it is well worth the investment if it protects your home from future flooding problems.