What to do with all this rain

The Rain season is upon us.

One shower after another; flooding our gutters, trenches, and the lowest level of our homes when possible.

As a Family owned and operated company who as strictly focused on Foundation repair and Waterproofing issues for the past 16 years, we have seen a lot of these issues pop up. We get this question a lot “How do I know if I have a problem and what can I do to help prevent it?”

Although not ALL problems can be prevented, some can be helped.

There are a number of things you can do to help protect your home from the excess of water.

1. Check your gutters. Make sure those are clean and free of debris, especially if you have any trees near your home.
2. Look at downspouts. Do they extend away from the foundation of your home and do they run downhill. If possible 10-15 feet at a slight down grade.
3. Scan for trenches or swells. Fill any lower spots with soil to prevent water pooling.
4. Inspect for water. Look for any standing water, wet block, or black stains on concrete in your basement or crawl space.
5. Measure humidity in the space. Humidity is the moisture in the air. Prevent mold on the structure of your home by keeping humidity below 60%.

This time of year we receive an influx in calls for water in basements and crawlspaces.

Or those who already have waterproofing systems call when they hear their alarm going off.  Storms may have knocked out power or the pump may have been unplugged at some point and forgotten about. Be sure to verify your pump is in fact plugged in.

If you don’t remember, look and see when the last time you had your pump or humidifier serviced?

The high humidity and organic material provides a perfect environment for mold. By managing the moisture and temperature, mold growth can be prevented.

The major concern with water in the basement other than the inconvenience is that it destroys personal belongings. Some are larger items that are more expensive, other times are smaller items that are far more sentimental. Either way the water is damaging and costly. One must decide if they are interested in a temporary or permanent solution.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to schedule for an expert to come out and check your concerns. Better safe than sorry.