Ways to Protect your Basement from Winter Storm Damage

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

As fall turns into winter, we begin to see rains and snowfall which can cause water damage to your basement.

Here are 6 ways you can prepare and protect your basement from water damage caused by rain and melting snow:

1. Downspouts Cleaned & Pointed Away from the House
   A downspout is a pipe used to carry rainwater from your roof to a drain or to ground level. When downspouts are pointed towards the foundation, water has the capability to seep in. Point downspouts away from your home in a direction that slopes away from the foundation.
   
   
   
2. Fix Cracks Quickly
   Inspect your foundation yearly and fix cracks quickly. This will prevent water from creeping in through cracks and faults in your foundation - which typically aren't covered by insurance.
   
   
   
3. Install a Sump Pump 
   A sump pump is used where basement flooding happens regularly. Sump pumps send water away from a house to a place where it is no longer problematic, such as a municipal storm drain or dry well. Sump pumps run on electricity, so it is important to check the pump regularly (especially during storms) to ensure it is running properly.
   
   
   
4. Proper Storage
   It is important to be proactive in protecting your belongings before a water damage situation occurs. Use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes, and try to keep contents on a shelf rather than storing them on the floor.
   
   
   
5. Install a Water Alarm
   If you're planning to travel this summer, consider a water alarm for your home. They'll alert you should water levels inside start to rise - which can help save your home from damage.
   
   
   
6. Check your Insurance Policy
   The best thing you can do to protect your basement and contents is having the right kind of insurance and the right amount. Check with your agent to make sure your home and belongings are covered in the event of a sewer/drain backup, sump pump malfunction or flooding.
   
   

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Contact SERVPRO of East Mahoning County for emergency cleanup in your Youngstown, Ohio basement.