Basements are always prone to flooding. Rainwater seeps into cracks in a home’s foundation, sewer lines can back up and pipes can leak. Basement flooding is a common problem, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be avoided. With the proper precautions in place and a good Pittsburgh plumbing service on speed dial, it’s actually very easy to keep your basement as dry as the rest of your house.
Keeping Your Gutters and Downspouts in Working Order
One of the easiest ways to keep your basement from flooding is to make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts are working properly. Gutters should be kept clean and inspected regularly for damage, especially if you’ve had a storm recently. Water should flow freely through gutters without leaking or pooling on your roof, and they should be firmly connected to your downspouts. The downspouts themselves should extend at least three feet away from your home to keep rainwater as far from your foundation as possible.
Check Your Foundation
A lot of basement flooding occurs because of cracks in a home’s foundation. Large cracks are obviously serious problems, but you can still fix small cracks with epoxy or masonry sealers. If you can check your exterior foundation for cracks, do so. If not, you can still look for problems in the walls and floors of your basement. Epoxy will work well for exterior cracks, while masonry sealer can be applied to interior walls. If you aren’t comfortable with doing that kind of work or the damage is too extensive, call a professional.
Inspect Your Sewer Line
Flooding is also caused by backed-up sewer lines, so make sure your line stays clear. A sewer camera inspection can determine if there are any serious problems that could cause your sewer line to back up, so ask a Pittsburgh plumbing company near you if they can perform this service.
If you do have a blockage in your sewer line, there are a couple of options available to you. Many plumbing companies can perform hydrojetting services to clear out a sewer line. Hydrojetting involves spraying hot water at pressures of up to 4,000 psi into a sewer line, which is enough to remove most blockages safely.
Get a Sump Pump
A sump pump can remove water in your basement in the event of a flood. A permanent sump pump can be installed and set up to work automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to have a portable sump pump as a backup. As long as you make sure your pump’s well is free of debris, it should work to keep moisture out of your basement.
Watch for Leaks
Leaks in your basement plumbing can cause a lot of problems, including flooding. Keep an eye out for any potential leaks, especially if you have older pipes. A Pittsburgh plumbing service should be able to fix any leaks you have, but only if you catch them before they get out of hand.
Stay Vigilant
Above all else, stay vigilant when it comes to your basement. Basement flooding may be avoidable, but it doesn’t take much to cause a flood either. As long as you keep these tips in mind and stay on top of any potential issues, you should be able to keep your basement relatively dry.
Keep your basement free from flooding by getting in touch with the Pittsburgh plumbers at Mister Sewer. For over 25 years, our team has provided its prompt, courteous and professional plumbing services all throughout the Pittsburgh area. Don’t leave your home’s plumbing up to chance, and call the team at Mister Sewer today to schedule your hydrojetting and camera sewer inspection services and take a proactive approach with your pipes.