Winter is coming—at least, that’s what the kids have been saying, but we don’t think they’re referring to potential basement floods. Living in the Midwest, you know all too well how brutal winters can be. We can’t do anything about the weather, but we can help you avoid a basement flood. However, you need to understand why your basement may flood in the winter—without a why, you can’t accurately consider the how and what. If you’d like to learn more, we encourage you to read on. After all, winter is coming.
Melting Snow and Ice
Even when we have one of those wonderful Illinois winters where the temperature outside is subzero, your basement is quite a bit warmer. This may not seem like a problem—let us explain. When snow and ice accumulate around your foundation, the warmer temperature of your basement melts them. As these elements melt, they seep through the soil and attack your foundation. Eventually, there’s nowhere else for the elements to go, so they put a lot of pressure on your foundation, which results in cracks and potentially a flood.
Check out more about How to Fix Window Well Problems?
Burst Pipes
Hydrostatic Pressure
Faulty Sump Pump
Poorly Sealed Window Wells
A lot of basements have window wells, and understandably so, as they have several benefits. If you don’t maintain your window wells, you could have an ice rink in your basement. In addition to having a professional inspect the seals on your window wells, you should also have window well covers to prevent snow from building up in the well.
Foundation Cracks
Almost every home’s foundation has cracks on the outside and in the basement—that doesn’t mean it’s okay. Foundation cracks are precursors to basement floods, and even small cracks should raise concerns. Why? Because Midwest winters are unlike anything else. The outside temperature could be negative 20 one day, and then we’ll be in the 40s a couple days later. With the fluctuations in temperature, the snow and ice will expand and contract, resulting in more cracks.
There are several other reasons why your basement may flood in the winter, but the three above are certainly the most common. As you can see, you should have a professional check out your basement and foundation before the temperatures start drastically changing. If you’re searching for a professional service that can assist you with your basement issues, look no further than The Real Seal. Our team members are from the Chicagoland area, so we know all too well what Midwest weather is like. Some of our services include basement sealing to prevent floods, window well drain installation, and basement crack repair. Give us a call today to set up your appointment.
