Flooding under your home can damage the foundation, destroy HVAC equipment, water heaters, insulation, and duct work. Even if you don’t live in a flood zone, water can still accumulate under your home and over time will create a damp and musty environment that is ripe for mold growth. The water damage experts at Elite Moisture Solutions in Raleigh North Carolina have two suggestions that can help mitigate this from happening, and will protect your house from the devastating costs and damages caused by flooding:
Install a Sump Pump
The most effective way to prevent the basement or crawl space from flooding is to install a sump pump. These pumps are used to remove the accumulated water from the sump basins that are commonly found under your home. Sump pumps are usually used whenever flooding occurs quite frequently in the basement or crawl space, and to solve the problem of excessive moisture accumulation when the water table is somewhat above the home foundation.
Sump pumps can effectively collect the water from the basement and area under your home, and pump it out when it reaches a certain level with water. You should maintain the sump pump since it will run more often during the rainy and wet times of the year. Here are some of the most useful sump pump maintenance tips to ensure that it will be fully functional whenever you need it.
- Check the motor of the pump by lifting the cover or pulling up the float. Make sure the motor is plugged in and is getting the required power. If the motor doesn’t run, then seek the help of a professional.
- In case of a severe rainstorm, you should have a backup power source to keep the sump pump running. A backup generator will help in avoiding the basement flooding.
- It is important to ensure that the discharge line is extending far enough from the home to drain the water away from the foundation of your home.
Install a French Drain
Installing a French drain system can efficiently solve the issue of basement or crawl space flooding by collecting the excess water in a perforated pipe, carrying it away from the home, and then disseminating it evenly into the soil at a location where the water won’t damage the landscaping. French drains provide an easy method to move the excess water to a curbside storm drain.
When a French drain is installed, a trench is dug in the areas which are commonly affected like the basement, crawl space, or yard where water accumulates, and is deeper than the lowest point so the water can flow downward. The perforated pipe is laid in the trench and covered with aggregate material like gravel to filter the water to prevent clogging by dirt and debris. Flexible as opposed to rigid pipes, the perforated pipe allows it to be easily placed to maneuver around permanent objects in the yard. Once the pipe is installed, it is then covered with gravel and topped with soil and grass. The pipe collects the accumulated water and disperses it back underground via the lower layer of aggregate.
Wrapping Up
Both of these options are the best choices for preventing the basement and crawl space from flooding from rainstorms and long term water accumulation. Some other preventive measures might include removing debris from storm drains, installing window well covers, repairing cracks in the foundation, or replacement of the rain gutter system.
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