How to Protect Your Basement from Storm Damage

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rains caused this basement to flood!

Many homes in Statesville have basements, but they're highly susceptible to storm-induced flooding. If your home has a basement or was built partially below ground level, then you need to take extra precautions to keep your property dry and safe.

Why Do Basements Flood During a Storm?

During a storm, gravity pulls the rain to the lowest possible point. On properties that aren’t properly graded or have insufficient drainage, this can cause water to pool near or against your home. This is problematic because, by nature, basements are generally built partly or entirely below ground level. Given enough time, this excess water can seep into your basement, especially if there are cracks in the wall or foundation.

How You Can Prevent Your Basement from Flooding

While your basement is at a higher risk of flooding than any other part of your home, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. If you want to protect your basement, there are effectively 3 things you can do:

1. Clean your gutters. Your home’s gutters are your first line of defense against flooding. As rain slides down your roof, it will get caught in the system and be directed away from your home, which will prevent it from pooling in one place.

2. Have your yard properly graded. If your yard is flat or slopes towards your house, then you have a grading problem. The immediate area around your home should slope away so that gravity will pull water in that direction. If this is your problem, call a professional landscaper to grade your yard the right way.

3. Fix weaknesses in your foundation. Water will find its way into any crack or crevice, so if your foundation has such a problem, it should be fixed immediately. Otherwise, you’re just inviting rain to enter!

What to Do if Your Basement Floods

Suppose you take the above measures and rain still manages to flood your basement. If so, there’s no need to panic: there are still some actions you can take. At this point, you’ll want to focus on mitigation, so here’s what you should do:

1. Remove furniture and belongings to higher ground. Water can ruin possessions and encourage mold growth. If possible, your best response is to move as much of your furniture and other belongings upstairs as you can. This will at least keep these items safe.

2. Redirect water away from the home. Your next step should be to remove as much of the incoming water as possible. The less water in your home, the less damage you’ll ultimately have.

3. Call your local water damage restoration company. In most cases, you’re going to need professional help to extract water and dry affected materials. This is something you’ll want to do after the rain has stopped because companies like ourselves can’t truly help until the water stops coming in.

While you’re waiting for help to arrive, you should remain calm and focus on saving your belongings. If you live in the Statesville, NC community, SERVPRO of Iredell County is available 24/7 to help you clean up flood damage and reclaim your basement.