Based on a study conducted by World Weather, January is considered as the coolest month in NYC. April is believed to be the wettest while October is observed as the driest. While the summer months feel uncomfortable due to extreme heat, the foundation of your home suffers as well. These constant changes in climate result to basement flooding.
The problem doesn’t only stress many home owners, it also forced them to shell out cash for numerous repairs. It would have been good if you’ve prepared a budget before a hurricane but what if it occurs at your most inconvenient time, like what happened in October of 2012? It’s when Hurricane Sandy destroyed a total of 740,000 homes and businesses and killed 43 people (Kymitigation, 2013).
For this, it’s best to be ready before the inevitable events happen. Thanks to these waterproofing specialists and they have prepared a list of long-term tips to stop flooding:
1) Remove debris out the water pit and sump pumps.
Cleaning the water pit and sump pump should become a habit. Find time to clear gutters, drains and downspouts. It’s also helpful to move rugs, furniture, heavy electronics and other personal belongings to upper floors before a hurricane. During a heavy snow or an unexpected storm, consider shutting your electricity off. Lifting major appliances (such as refrigerator, electric fans and cooking stove) onto concrete blocks should be a priority if flooding begins. (Bankrate, 2013).
2) Replace sump pump every five years.
A sump pump is a water pump. It’s an electric-operated tool that removes water from your basement. Many homeowners consider it as an insurance policy because you don’t know when you need it but you can always depend on it during wet months.
Sump pumps protect your basement; that’s why it’s a smart idea to conduct simple maintenance regularly. The moment that it’s installed, check its manual to see if it requires oil. In case you lost the manual, it’s possible to find the essential information online. Look for its manufacturer, model number and contact details (HomeRepair, 2014).
3) Draw water away from the foundation.
Consider it your responsibility to check how the water flows during an average rainstorm. Does the ground need grading? Do you need downspout extensions? If the answer is no then, it might be your location that brings water in.
4) Waterproof the basement.
You must be willing to invest in basement waterproofing. Foundation vents may be installed to allow water to flow freely. You may also want to “dryproof” the whole area. This means applying thick sealing coatings to the walls and checking floors.
Another option is to raise your home on piers. This technique should put your lowest floor above the flood level. However, unless in a serious flood plane, a good basement waterproofing company can do the job much cheaper.
