Protect Your Basement!

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Last week intense rains spread throughout Westchester county and overwhelmed residents, and their basements, all over. Here at SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle we’re always here to help, but we also want to make sure that you have all the knowledge to help prevent a disaster in the first place. Keep reading for some simple tips and tricks to potentially avoid a flooded basement in the future:

• Check your foundation! Make sure to check both the inside and outside of your home to identify any cracks that may be evident in the foundation. If they are simple enough, just use caulk to seal them. If the cracks are extensive you will need to seek out the help of a professional to make sure they get sealed properly. 
• Clean your gutters! You’ve probably heard this a million times, or read about it on our website, but this is SO important! If your gutters aren’t clear of all debris, they will most likely overflow during the next storm and potentially send water pouring into your basement. 
• Think about installing a sump pump, and make sure to maintain it! A sump pump will collect excess water and pump it outside before it can ever enter your home. Make sure to continually check the motor, ensure discharge lines extend far away enough from your residence, and your pump has a back-up source of power. All of these things will reduce the chance of your sump pump failing in the future.
• Check the grading of the ground near your home! If the ground doesn’t slope away from your home, you will need to get it re-graded. 

Just like many things in life, you’ll never be able to 100% guarantee that your basement won’t flood during a heavy storm, but these tips will give you the upper hand. If you do happen to find yourself in the middle of a disaster despite following all of our tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle is here for you 24/7. All you have to do is give us a call at 914-684-1560.