Between today and tomorrow our area will be receiving a decent amount of rainfall which we all know we desperately need. In foresight of this event we are going to make you an easy to follow list to help identify, notify, and prevent ground water damages to your home and basement. These pieces of advice could greatly reduce the damages done to your home, or eliminate the risk entirely.
1) Make sure all windows are sealed.
Many times windows along the ground edge of a basement can come under serious stress. As a result the sealing around the window can warp or decay causing it to allow particles and in this case water into your home. Your best bet is to inspect your windows yearly, and if damage is apparent seek a contractor for repairs.
2) Be aware of your land
Do you live in a swampy area? How about what used to be farmlands? How close are you to a river, or lake? These factors can all play a critical role in determined how risk the risk of ground water flooding is to your home. Places where the ground stays saturated for long periods of time such as a swampy area will be able to hold less amounts of water, which may seep through the walls of your basement, while other areas that say have a lot of tress may take longer since the plant life can and will absorb some of the water.
3) Have flood insurance
No joke, get it. We see all too often where people are denied insurance coverage of a loss because they lack flood insurance. This policy can be relatively inexpensive, but give you peace of mind in all kinds of situations. Knowing what you are currently covered for can be confusing, so contact your insurance agent for an explanation and know what you pay for.
4) Check your basement
If you know we’ll be getting a rainy week, try to check your basement at least twice a day for any signs of moisture or water build up. If so contact your insurance company to inform them. Many times work cannot be started to clean up a ground water problem until after the rains have stopped as there is little way to stop the water coming in (unless it’s from an open window or stair hatch).
Ground water shouldn’t leave you alarmed and unsure of what to do. A watchful eye is all you need to keep your home relatively safe. Be prepared for anything, and you will find that no problem can get you down.
If you have questions about ground water contact us via our ask box for further information.
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