We all want our homes to be warm and dry, especially in the wintertime. This means making sure water stays outside, foundation sealing, repair basement leaks, and keeping mold at bay. However, as a homeowner this can all sound daunting and confusing. In order to keep your home nice and dry.
Invest in your gutters
Your gutters are the silent hero of your home. When they function properly, they keep rainwater and snow away from your foundation and walls. However, if they become clogged and overflowing, they can really impact the structure of your home. Not only will water seep in through your walls, but standing water by the foundation will slowly but surely enter and cause all kinds of headaches.
In order to prevent this, make sure you have one gutter downspout for every 600 square feet of roofing surface. The downspout should be discharging water at least five feet away from your home. Also check and clean out your gutters at least once a month, and break down any icicles that form on them as soon as possible.
Watch out for plants
As attractive as they may be to look at, your landscaping plants can be the cause of pesky foundation cracks and wet basements. To ensure water doesn’t pool against your foundation, all plants in your landscaping should be placed at least two feet from the foundation, sloping in the opposite direction.
Thoroughly inspect your foundation
Little cracks can be caused by multiple different factors, but one thing is for sure and it is that they will not fare well for your home. Inspect both the inside and outside of your home for cracks that are wider than a fourth of an inch. If this is the case, consult a foundation sealing and repair service so the water stays where it belongs — outside!
Consider installing a sump pump
If you consistently have a flooded basement, it could be a good idea to talk to a professional about installing a sump pump. These devices mechanically discharge water outside once the water level is too high in the home, and can be especially helpful in rainstorms.
Waterproofing your basement doesn’t have to be hard. Contact our professionals today for foundation sealing and other water proofing solutions today.
