Floods are never fun, especially when they happen inside closed spaces like basements. Can you imagine the horror of cleaning up endless puddles of muddy water underground? Well, from what we’ve read, it’s not something you want to happen in your home.

Despite extreme preparation, floods can happen anytime and anywhere. They can happen because of water seeping in from storms, leaky pipes, or because your washing machine started leaking. Water might seem easy to clean up. You only need a mop and a bucket. However, cleaning it over and over again is just a temporary solution. 

The most effective way to prevent flooding isn’t to stop it from happening at all but to lessen the damage and do our best to decrease the chances of it happening. So, how can you prevent your basement from flooding? Although the first thought that comes to your mind might be to call a professional, we believe there are several things you can do at home by yourself.

If you haven’t experienced flooding in your basement, there’s no harm in learning about what you can do if it happens. Here are a few things to do to avoid getting water in your basement.

Watch what you flush

Our toilets may seem powerful and it seems like we can throw pretty much anything down the drain. However, they can only take so much. To keep water out of your basement, try keeping an eye on what your flushing down the toilet. There are a lot of resources available that tell you which things shouldn’t be flushed. 

Avoid heavy water usage

Sometimes we use a lot more water than needed. During sunny days, it won’t be an issue to take long showers and do bigger loads of laundry. However, we advise you to avoid using too much water during heavy rainfall. Using too much water can overload the sewer system since it’s already working so hard to get rid of the water from the rainfall.

Inspect your home regularly

Put aside some time every month to inspect your home for cracks and leaks. Most of the time, the source of water can come from leaky pipes or foundation cracks. Foundation can break down throughout the years and lead to cracks. 

If you catch any leaks or cracks early on, they will be much easier to seal since they’re smaller in size. Detecting leaks can be tricky. The key is to check your gutters, sump pump, weeping tiles, pipes, and any drainage systems in your home to make sure there are no leaks or blockages. If the leaks get too big, you’ll have to call in a professional plumber.

Wrapping Up

Most of the time, the damage from flooding can be controlled through maintenance and care. Although the best thing you can do is call a professional, there are times and instances where we can deal with the issue on our own. 
The most important thing is to keep an eye out and try to catch leaks or cracks as soon as you can because the longer you leave them, the worse they can get. Leaks and cracks can lead to severe water damage and even mold growth. So, it’s better to be prepared and prevent problems when you can.

Guest Contributor: Diana R

Illustration: Alexander Painter

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