LANSING, Mich. — Does water leak into your basement during a bad rain storm? Are your block walls insufficiently sealed? Do you need gutters? Is the slope of your yard allowing the rain to run right down your basement? There are many things that can factor into water getting into your basement. Here are a couple things that you can do to prevent this from happening.
Waterproofing paint to cover the block basement walls and help repel water from seeping in.
Watertite caulk to fill any gaps in the wall.
o Make sure your walls are dry and clean before sealing with paint and caulk.
Add soil to the ground next to the house to create a slope that would push water away from the foundation of the house.
Install gutters
o Add rain gutter extensions to drain water further away from your foundation.
o The type of gutter used (aluminum, vinyl, etc) will depend on your local climate.
o Use a leaf catch cover over the gutter to avoid your gutters clogging which could damage your gutters or cause water to overfill and fall onto your foundation.
Install a sump pump to automatically drain water from your basement if it returns.
If you have window wells, consider putting a cover over them to keep water from pooling near your window.
If not already present, consider adding floor drains to help drain any water flowage from your basement.
Plastic Flooring risers can be added to allow room for water to move freely and drain underneath wood, vinyl, or other traditional flooring.
If you currently have water in your basement:
o Use a combination of mops, squeegees, and buckets to collect and dispose of standing water in your basement
o Use a dehumidifier to remove remaining water residue.
Ensure the dehumidifier is rated to the size of your basement.
