The basement serves a lot of purposes.
Some of these include acting as an extra living space and a storage area.
It can also be used as an office, or a gym. You can use it however you wish.
However, we can all agree that you ought to ensure that your belongings down there are in good condition at all times.
However, this area is quite prone to flooding. This is especially true during the heavy spring rains.
Water Damaged Basement
As a homeowner in New Jersey, you ought to put in the needed effort to ensure that your space down there is dry throughout.
This article gives tips to prevent basement overflow in your New Jersey house.
Properly Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Clogging inside gutters and downspouts is a major cause of overflow. When these two are filled with leaves and other debris, water doesn’t flow as it’s supposed to. This results in the overflow. Once this happens, it causes water to stand around the perimeter of your house. This water could later on seep into the basement. In such a scenario, expect significant damage and even the development of mold and mildew.
To avoid such issues, it makes sense to have the gutters and downspouts cleaned and unclogged at least twice a year. Also, since you want to stay dry through spring, consider having them cleaned right before the season starts.
Set Up a French Drain System
Getting a French drain is a practical way to manage surface and subsurface water. The system has a punctured pipe. It’s then buried in a pebbled trench. This system is quite effective. This is because it helps prevent water from pooling near your foundation. By doing this, it’s able to deter flooding. This is true because there will be no water to seep into the lower parts of your house.
If you are a homeowner in New Jersey that constantly has to deal with a drenched basement after heavy rainfall, then consider setting up a French Drain. It will really come in handy for you and will ensure a dry residence.
Improve Drainage
Is your landscape slanting towards your foundation? Then know there are high chances of experiencing flooding when the heavy rains come. To avoid this, ensure your home’s exterior is sloping away instead. This will really help during the rainy days. This is because the slope will help direct water away instead of pooling close to the walls.
You may also want to utilize gravel or porous materials in your landscaping to assist in absorbing excess water and minimizing potential runoff, which could seep in. Having a water collection basin in your backyard should also assist. This is because it will manage and deflect water movement.
Seal Foundation Cracks and Openings
They might look innocent at first, but even the smallest cracks and openings have the potential to allow water to seep in. The result from this is potential damage, dampness, and even the growth of mold and mildew.
You ought to stay on top of things by inspecting your basement on a regular basis to check for potential cracks. If you spot them, you have to seal using hydraulic cement or a waterproof sealant.
One area that you really need to focus on while doing this is that spot where pipes enter the basement. The main reason for this is that gaps around these openings can let in a lot of water during the rainy seasons.
Waterproofing
Deterring overflow in the basement entails creating a comprehensive defense against water intrusion. The best way to go about this is to waterproof.
You should consider applying a waterproof membrane or coating to your walls. This will help create a strong barrier against seepage. This works great especially when utilized in those places that have high groundwater levels. You may also want to use vapor barriers on walls and floors. These ones help to further avoid moisture from penetrating.
Spring comes after winter, meaning it’s a great time to enjoy the warmer days. However, rains experienced during this season have the capability to really mess up this period for you due to a drenched basement. Lucky for you, this article has provided various tips that you should implement to prevent flooding. Actions like maintaining gutters frequently and installing a French drain system can really help. You should also not forget waterproofing the basement. However, since doing all these can be quite overwhelming, you might want to leave the task to waterproofing professionals.
