Flooding after Heavy Rain or Snow
Heavy rain or melting snow can cause flooring in your basement or crawl space. Learn how to prevent this water from making it into your home.
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A flooded basement or crawl space caused by heavy rain or snow melt is a problem no homeowner wants to encounter. Flooding, the number one natural disaster in the U.S., also occurs as the result of a storm surge and high tide.
You don’t have to live near a river to experience the effects of flooding as this phenomenon can happen anywhere. Where there’s significant flooding, water intrusion is likely. After a winter storm or blizzard, the snow will eventually melt, and if your home’s foundation has any cracks or leaks, guess where that melted snow will end up? Exactly – in your basement or crawl space.
Water intrusion due to snow melt is not uncommon. Plenty of homeowners report a wet basement or crawl space after heavy snow. Not only does water have the potential to damage the structural components of your home, but long after the water recedes, residual moisture can contribute to mold growth. Mold and mildew are a threat to your home’s indoor air quality and your family’s health.
To prevent water from making its way into your home, here are a few steps you can take:
Get a sump pump installed.
The right sump pump will do wonders to keep your basement dry. A sump pump, in conjunction with a basement or crawl space dehumidifier, can be a powerful combatant against water, moisture and mold in your basement or crawl space. If you have an old or faulty sump pump, beware – the last thing you want is your sump pump to fail at a time when you need it most. Check to see if your sump pump is in working order. If not, get a new one installed as soon as you can.
Make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of debris.
Remove any ice or snow from the bottom of your downspouts to ensure that once the snow melts, it will be channeled away from your foundation. Any blockage can cause severe damage to the structure and aesthetics of your home. Check for cracks, a defective fascia bracket or disconnected joints. Proper drainage can make all the difference.
Shovel snow away from your home’s foundation.
Snow packed up against the foundation increases your chances of ending up with a wet basement or crawl space – not exactly the indoor swimming pool you’ve been dreaming about. Snow melt can seep into your house and cause quite a mess. Water leaking into your basement after heavy rain or snow melt may very well ruin your personal items or furniture. Take the necessary precautions to safeguard your belongings and most importantly, your home.
Call a reputable basement waterproofing company to inspect the area(s) you’re concerned about.
A waterproofing contractor with the proper training and experience can evaluate your wet basement or damp crawl space and recommend the appropriate solution. It’s best to seek the services of a licensed foundation repair company because they have the expertise necessary to evaluate your home from the ground up and introduce a permanent fix.
Being proactive about home repairs is a short- and long-term strategy that preserves your house, saves you money and reduces stress. A nuisance can easily become a nightmare. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to take action. Following these four tips to protect your basement or crawl space after heavy rain or snow melt will help keep your house intact all winter.
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
As mentioned, some waterproofing solutions are temporary, whereas others can last longer if they’re more comprehensive. The type of waterproofing that involves interior drainage installed by a reliable contractor is a more permanent solution. Comparatively, sealant waterproofing lasts between one and two years, depending on the type of sealant you used.
BasementGutter™ Grated Drain Pipes are designed to be installed inside the home, where your home’s insulation protects them from the worst of the chill. Exterior drains will freeze in winter, although this can be mitigated through certain measures, such as salting the drains. Interior basement drains should remain free of ice, even if the basement isn’t properly insulated.
One of the reasons why JES highly recommends installing interior drains is for this very reason.
Interior Drains: A Freeze-Free Solution
Interior drains won’t freeze, which is essential for keeping the basement free of water in cold weather.
Our winters may see snowfall, but ice rarely penetrates the earth more than a few feet in our area.
Even still, the peace of mind our drainage solutions provide is valuable. Plus, moisture can still seep into your basement during winter, and once spring hits and the ice melts there will be even more water to deal with.
JES recommends a basement sump pump to ensure all water is efficiently discharged from your basement drainage network!
The Importance of Keeping Drains Ice-Free
As water freezes, it expands. Drains will grow full blocks of ice that can damage the drainage network and block discharge lines – not only with ice, but trapped debris as well. This can cause an overflow of water, which may push water back into your home or cause exterior gutters to overflow. Triggering flooding, inside and out, and further issues with ice.
Basements can be susceptible to water intrusion during any season. However, periods of heavy rain or melting snow, such as in spring or after severe weather events, can heighten the risk. It’s also worth monitoring during prolonged rainy periods or rapid snowmelt.
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