Howard Shachter, the head of U.S. Waterproofing, reveals some simple tricks of the trade that homeowners can do to avoid water damage and basement flooding.
Clean Your Gutters
As most homeowners know, gutters collect rainwater that would otherwise run directly off the roof and channels it into a downspout. The water runs through gutter into the downspout and is directed away from the base of the house.
Often, gutters get clogged with leaves and debris that naturally accumulates from nearby trees. When this happens, instead of channeling the water down the spout, the gutters overflow and deposit rainwater by foundation of the house. This eventually finds its way into the basement and causes seepage.
Clean your gutters out quarterly or at the least, annually. To do this, simply climb up on a ladder and get your hand into the gutter (preferably gloved — rotting leaves are pretty gross) and dig out all the leaves and debris. This might be difficult, so hire a landscaper or gutter company to do this chore if need be.
Mind Your Downspouts
Sometimes the downspouts deposit water too close to the base of your home, causing erosion. This creates a crevice where the water collects near your house and does not run away from your foundation. When water puddles alongside the house, it can create hydrostatic pressure that can force itself through microscopic pores into your foundation and cause water damage.
There are relatively simple devices you can buy like a downspout extension that channels the water away from the house and into the yard or a splash block which directs the water away from the house and prevents erosion from occurring.
Check your downspouts the next time it rains to make sure they are functioning properly.
Cover Your Window Wells
Groundwater often finds its way into window wells. Many houses have window well drains and sump systems to disperse this water. Often times, however, those drains become blocked with leaves and debris and the water doesn’t channel out. Instead, it builds up inside the well until it overflows the windowsill and finds its way into your house. Clean the drains in your window well system and put a cover on top of the well so leaves don’t get in to clog the system in the first place.
Check Your Grading
Grading refers to the level and slope of the earth around your home. You ideally want your land to slope away from your house so rainwater on the surface of the earth will run downhill and away from your foundation. Be careful you don’t build up the grade so high that the level of the earth around your house is higher than the top of your foundation. Brick and siding are not waterproof and water can trickle in through the brick and come in over top of foundation and into your basement if the grading is too high around the house.
If your land grade does extend above your foundation, you can install membranes which waterproof the joints between the brick and top of the foundation. Waterproofing membranes are applied as a liquid epoxy that cures into a solid rubbery compound to provide a watertight seal. This process is the most economical and least disruptive way of solving this difficult problem. If your grading is much too high, the water might actually run right through the brick and into the first floor. So re-grading your yard might be your only hope.
Direct Your Discharge
Many homes have sump pumps installed to carry away problem water. You must be mindful as to where the pump discharges. Make sure the discharge pipes are extended away from building so that water doesn’t collect along house. You don’t want it to take water out and let it recirculate and come right back in again.
Keep Windows Caulked
Make sure there is always fresh caulk around your window frames and that they are sealed tight. The smallest openings around the frame of windows can allow water in during a storm and also allow your heated or air conditioned air to leak out.
Replace Your Roof
Most roofs have a life of around 30 years. When the lifespan of your roof is running out, it is better to replace your roof early before it has any leakage. The damaging effects of water leaking in through the roof will make it doubly expensive to fix later on. Once water starts leaking in through a roof, it collects in attics, leaks through the ceilings, creates mold and other nasty situations that are difficult to remediate. Replace your roof early to avoid any of these problems.
