How to Flood Proof your Basement

It’s an unfortunate fact that basements tend to get flooded. Even without flooding, they are often damp and prone to leaks. During heavy rain or the spring thaw, you can find your basement full of water. Even if you are only using your basement for storage, you still want to protect your belongings. Preventing floods before they happen is a smart investment in your home. Here are a few tips on how to flood proof your basement.

How to Flood Proof Basement

Plants in your yard do a great job of absorbing water. But, if they are too close, they can cause damage to your foundation. The roots become larger and remove the supporting soil.

Tree roots, in particular, can cause cracks and breaks in the foundation. You can get the plants and trees moved back from the foundation to help prevent floods in your basement.

You may need to dig some type of culvert to divert the water in another direction. You can also add a rain garden or a pond. Add heavier mulch beside the foundation to absorb the water. 

One of the easiest basement flood prevention methods is to seal it. This involves sealing up all the openings in your basement. First, start with cracks in the walls, floors, and ceiling. Sealing is the best way to flood-proof your basement walls.

Check that all the windows have secure caulking and that the weatherstripping around the doors is in good condition as that will flood-proof your basement door.  For any larger problems, you should hire a basement contractor to take care of them.

The grading around the foundation can shift. Wind, plants, and animals can remove the soil that helps keep water away from your walls. After a while, the water will start to seep into your basement.

You can add or move some plants, add some more soil, or contact a landscaping company. Rain and melting snow will pool around the base of your foundation, so it needs to be guided away.

It often doesn’t require a lot of involved work. Sometimes, just a few adjustments are all that is needed to keep your basement free from getting flooded.

Another great way to get a flood-proof basement is by installing a sump pump. You should also consider a backup system. A sump pump works when there is water in the basement.

The sump pump is slightly lower than your basement floor so it can detect the presence of water. It kicks in right away when there is water, and a backup system works when that one can’t.

If you are gone from home and a flood happens with power outages, your sump pump should have a battery backup pump. A lot of damage can happen while you are away with water pouring in.

This valve is installed along your sewer line to prevent raw sewage and wastewater from flooding your basement. It’s a one-way valve with a flap open at one end. This can be an important part of your basement flood prevention system.

The flap is open to move water and waste away from your home and toward the main sewer system. If there is a flood or heavy rain, water can get backed up in your system causing a flood. The flap will automatically close during this time, keeping your basement flood-free.

The last thing you need is raw sewage in your basement, so this little device is a great investment in flood-proofing basement flooring. The cost of clean-up alone would be incredible.

A French drain is also a great step in how to flood-proof a basement. This is installed outside in your yard. They don’t require much work and you can add rocks or plants around them to make them look great.

It is a small trench that you dig that can prevent excess water from pooling around your yard and near your foundation. Once the soil is packed down, you can add a layer of rocks for draining, the perforated pipe to remove water, then cover it.

You can sod it over, put decorative rocks on top, and make it all even with the rest of your yard or landscaping. They work well for keeping extra water from seeping through the yard and into the basement.

If your downspouts are not long enough to get the water safely away from the house, then the water will stay there. It can cause a lot of damage to your yard and the foundation. 

Make sure the downspouts you install are able to carry the water at least 1.5 meters away from your foundation. You can add a few feet more if you don’t have proper grading. 

It’s an easy project and will go a long way in keeping your basement from t being flooded. Lay a concrete splash block underneath to prevent excessive amounts of water from seeping into the ground.

Your gutters work overtime when it comes to basement flood prevention. But they are only as good as their condition. Make sure they are in excellent working order and kept clean.

Leaves, debris, and animal messes can clog up your drains. As a result, water has no choice but to come over the top and sides, down the side of your house, and end up all around your foundation.

Twice a year is ideal, preferably in the spring and late fall. If you are not confident about getting up a ladder, hire a professional from Harmony Basements to come out and do it for you. We can also inspect them to see if there are any breaks, holes, or other damages that need to be repaired.

How To Protect Your Home Against Future Floods

There are many precautionary actions you can take to protect your home from basement flooding. For instance, repairing leaks and sealing wall, ceiling, or floor cracks as soon as possible can not go a long way in preventing extensive water damage in the future. The following are some additional tips on how to prevent basement flooding:

Basements are the lowest level of your home. This makes them more vulnerable to flooding than any other level of the house.

In order to keep your belongings safe from water damage, consider storing your items in watertight containers. Additionally, you should store the containers off the floors, such as on wall-mounted or standing shelves.

If you’ve previously had a flood, there may be damage to the foundation, floors, or walls that you cannot see. Leaving these problems unrepaired increases the risk of a repeat flood.

If you’re concerned about water damage, consult Harmony Basements for expert basement waterproofing advice. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to remove the drywall and framing in your basement to address the issue.

Septic tanks and sewer lines require regular maintenance. By cleaning drains, installing a backwater valve, and pumping the septic tank, you can help prevent basement flooding. Cleaning the drains allows for proper flow without blockages.

Pumping out the septic tank removes any debris and silt. You can also schedule consistent inspections. This increases the likelihood that any problems will be caught and fixed before it leads to flooding.

Despite being a liquid when they’re warm, grease, oil, and fat solidify when cooled. If poured down the drain, they will solidify while travelling through the pipes and collect in your internal plumbing, sewer main, and sanitary lateral.

This can lead to blockages and backup sewage systems, which increases the risk of flooding. Instead, let the grease, oils, and fats cool before disposing of them in the garbage.

Using water during heavy rainfall, such as doing laundry, showering, and running the dishwasher simultaneously, puts added pressure on the sewer system. This increases the risk of flooding for you and your neighbours.

If your sanitary sewer has a backwater sanitary valve, you are even more vulnerable to flooding as the vale closes when the sewer is full. It’s best to wait a few hours after the passes to commence heavy water-usage tasks.

What You Should Do if Your Basement Floods

In the event of a flood, there are a few important things to remember. The first is to remain out of your basement if the flooding is extensive. If the water level is high, wait until it’s deemed safe to enter by a qualified professional.

Flooded basements pose multiple safety hazards, including electrocution, structural damage, and contact with bacteria or toxic chemicals. For less extensive flooding, you can remove water with a sump pump and then document the damage for your insurance company.

Keep Your Family’s Health & Safety in Mind

The health and safety of you and your family is the number one priority when dealing with a flooded basement. Consider the following situations before you enter a wet basement:

Gas leaks can smell like sulphur or rotten eggs. If you smell gas after your basement floods, take the following actions:

  • Avoid using anything that could produce a spark or static, such as light switches
  • Open doors and windows if possible
  • Evacuate your home
  • Don’t light any matches or use lighters
  • Call your gas company

Water in basements is a very serious hazard. If the water level in your basement rises to or above the electrical sockets, baseboard heaters, electrical panel, or furnace, do not attempt to enter your basement.

Stepping into water that has electricity moving through it is extremely dangerous, as you could be severely electrocuted.

Natural gas appliances that have been affected by the flood are not safe to use. This includes water heaters, dryers, boilers, and furnaces. When gas appliances come in contact with water, using them could lead to electrocution, fires, and gas leaks. If your gas appliances get wet, you should:

  • Disconnect the appliances gas supply as soon as possible. 
  • Let the appliances air dry thoroughly.
  • Check for rust, corrosion, or water in the appliance. 
  • Consult a qualified professional for repairs.

Floodwater may contain sewage which is full of bacteria. If you come in contact with this water without proper protective gear, there’s a greater risk of disease transmission.

As you cannot be sure what’s in the floodwater, always wear gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask. You should also wear coveralls or overalls with the pant legs tucked into your boots.

Cleaning your basement after a flood can expose you to various contaminants. These include cleaning agents and chemicals that entered with the flood waters. Minimize your contact and exposure with these contaminants by opening windows and doors for adequate ventilation and wearing protective gear.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company will be able to offer expert guidance, including how to approach the clean-up, which contractors to call, and claims procedures. Here are some tips for dealing with your insurance provider:

  • Take Photos of Damaged Items: Document the area in photographs, including damaged items that may need replacing. Before you purchase new items, familiarize yourself with your insurance policy. If you pay for repairs and/or replacement items, ensure you keep all the receipts.
  • Check Insurance Coverage: Insurance coverage plans vary depending on the company and specific plan you choose. Take a close look at what your policy does and doesn’t cover as well as claims procedures. Some coverage plans will only cover flooding with specific causes such as a burst pipe, but not flooding from groundwater. 
  • Reduce Future Risk of Flooding: Many insurance providers favour homeowners who take preventative actions after a flood. If you make repeat claims without putting in the effort to reduce future flooding, the insurance company may have sufficient cause to drop the coverage. Steps you can take include repairing flood damages and waterproofing your basement.

Report Flooding to Your Municipality

If your home has experienced a flood or you’re concerned about flooding, give your local municipality a call. Reporting your concerns is important because flooding can be the cause of a sewer system blockage that needs to be addressed.

The city of Toronto will send staff to assess and inspect the flooding to determine the source of the problem. Toronto also has a Basement Flooding Protection Program that helps lower the risk of flooding with sewer system improvements and overland drainage routes.

Cleaning Up After a Basement Flood

Before beginning to clean up after a flooded basement, review the safety tips and guidance above, as well as the following precautionary measures and steps:

  • Wear Protective Clothing: Put on protective gear and clothing, including gloves, a face mask, overalls, and safety glasses or goggles.
  • Ventilation is Key: ventilation improves air circulation and helps dry the area. If possible, open and weather permits, open your basement windows.
  • Watch Out for Electrical Outlets & Equipment: Depending on the extent of the flooding, you may need to shut off the electricity to prevent shocks and damage to electrical equipment and appliances. If turning off the electricity isn’t possible, make sure all appliances are unplugged and dry before you plug them in again.

Here are various steps you may take to clean your basement after it a flood:

  • Pump water out of basement: You may need the assistance of a restoration company to effectively and safely pump the water out of your basement.
  • Clean the area: Collect and properly dispose of garbage and debris such as leaves, fallen wallpaper, and sticks.
  • Remove your belongings: Move your belongings out of the basement to determine what items can or cannot be salvaged. The longer items sit in the water, the more likely they are to develop mold, warp, or rot, depending on the material. 
  • Remove any rugs: Roll rugs out of the wet area and remove them from your basement. Any flooring that absorbed the water and moisture, such as wood flooring and underlayers, should also be removed.
  • Dry & disinfect fixed features: You’ll need to dry and disinfect the walls, floors, furnace, and any other contaminated space or object in your basement. Use towels, rags, or a wet/dry vacuum to remove excess water.
  • Have carpets & furniture dried & professionally cleaned: If you have carpets and furniture that can be salvaged, have them professionally dried and cleaned. This will ensure any and all contaminated water is removed. You may also consider having furniture reupholstered. 

Work With a Basement Flooding Company You Can Trust

These steps can really help you keep flood water out of your basement, or at least, keep the flooding to a minimum. Your own individual situation will vary, as will the preventative steps you can take. You don’t have to deal with basement flooding on your own because Harmony Basements is here to help. We have an experienced team that can perform quality basement flood repairs, basement sealing, and waterproofing services.

Contact us today for expert basement flooding advice, repairs, and long-term solutions.

September 19th, 2022 by Iurii