April showers bring basement floods.
It may still feel like the dead of winter now (because it is), but with Michigan’s changeable weather, you never know when a sudden thaw might leave you in an ocean of trouble. As spring approaches, we can look forward to rain and melting snow raising the water tables in our neighborhoods. Especially when you have had a water problem before, this is the time of year you might start getting anxious. You can hire a professional to waterproof your basement, but if that is out of your budget there are a few simple things that you can do on your own.
Check Gutters and Downspouts
Water that pools around your house needs somewhere to go. Unfortunately, that place is usually your basement. If you know you need new gutters, that your existing gutters need cleaning, or that you should extend your downspouts, take care of it as soon as the whether warms. That way you’ll be prepared for spring storms.
Have your sump pump serviced by a professional.
There are many things that can go wrong with your sump pump. Tethered floats, the most common kind, are known for getting stuck on the side walls of the pit, or the mechanical pressure switch can fail. Sometimes your sump pump simply doesn’t have the capability to pump the amount of of water necessary, especially if your home is in an area with a high water table. The best way to keep everything running like it should is to have someone service your pump regularly. That way you’ll know there is a problem before your basement floods.
Seal the small vertical cracks in your foundation.
Basement walls will naturally form small vertical cracks as the house settles. This does not show a serious foundation issue. Wide horizontal cracks, on the other hand, indicate a larger problem that requires the attention of a foundation professional immediately. However, water will seep through any opening, so after the house settles seal any cracks you find. You can use DIY sealants from any hardware store, but for absolute security, hire a professional.
If you already have standing water in your basement.
Shut off any electricity that runs to this area before doing anything else. Then look for the source of the water. If it is coming from an interior leak, like a burst pipe, shut off the water to that section of pipe and call a good plumber. If it is coming from outside, your first priority is dry out the space and then address the larger drainage issues.
In either case
contact Modernistic for immediate flood mitigation services. We will be there in less than two hours, any time of day or night. Our IIRC technicians can determine the cause of the flood an immediately begin removing standing water. We will also provide top quality restoration services and assign you a specialized case manager to handle the insurance claims process.
Helping Royal Oak, MI residents recover from flood damages for 40 years.
