Prevent Spring Basement Flooding In Your New Jersey Home

After the long, cold winter, spring is normally very welcome in New Jersey. That said, spring can pose a lot of challenges for many homeowners. That’s because spring is typically a wet season and brings with it a huge risk of spring flooding.

Basement flooding in New Jersey is therefore quite a common occurrence. Luckily, though, there are a number of precautions savvy homeowners can take to ward off the influx of melting snow and intense spring rainstorms - and keep their basements dry.

Here are a few handy tips to prevent spring basement flooding from the experts at The Restoration Group:

1) Keep your gutters and drainage systems clean

Blocked gutter and drainage systems are prime culprits for basement flooding.

This is because they can easily get clogged up by natural debris, such as twigs and dead leaves, in the winter months.

In the case of gutters, any blockages can stop rainwater from passing to the downspout. Instead, water will spill over the gutter and down the home’s siding.

2) Extend your downspouts

The positioning of your downspouts can also create a draining problem.

If they don’t direct water at least three feet away from the property, it may be wise to install downspout extensions. 

This will ensure water doesn’t pool around the base of the home, keeping the basement dry.

3) Slope your yard

In cases where your lawn angles toward your house, this can cause rainwater to pool around the foundation and potentially leak into the basement.

Tackling the grade of your yard can prevent this. Sloping your yard, by adding soil to low points and around the home's perimeter, gives rainwater an alternate path to follow.

You can plant grasses or shrubs in these areas for a natural, more aesthetic look.

4) Build a French drain

If sloping your yard isn’t possible or is impractical, you could install a French drain instead. These are designed to remove free-standing water from a home’s perimeter and are often easy to install.

Building the drain requires slotted pipes, gravel and digging a trench 12 inches wide and 24 inches deep.

5) Repair leaky and blocked pipes

It’s important to repair leaky pipes as soon as they become evident. Slow drips can cause widespread damage and, over time, can even result in a burst pipe.

Temporary fixes can be achieved with clamps or waterproof tape, while permanent fixes require a plumber.

Pipes blocked by debris can be unclogged using a plumbing snake.

6) Seal up wall and foundation cracks

Moisture can seep through even the smallest of hairline cracks. That’s why it’s important to look for cracks in both the walls and foundation of your basement.

You can seal minor cracks with epoxy or masonry sealer. Larger cracks, however, can be more serious and require the services of a professional contractor.

7) Install window wells

Basement windows can be very susceptible to leaks. Prevent rainwater from seeping into the basement by installing properly fitted window wells.

These allow light to come in while preventing moisture damage to basement windows that are at or below grade.

8) Install (and maintain) a sump pump

A sump pump is a critical last line of defense against basement flooding. The system automatically pumps out the excess when it detects large amounts of water.

However, it can only do so if it’s properly maintained and cleared of debris, and its power source is secure.

9) Clean out your septic system

In order to avoid blockages in the system lines of your septic system, it should be cleaned out annually. Not doing so could lead to backup and water infiltrating your basement.

We advise hiring a professional to carry this job out.

10) Install a backwater valve

A backwater valve on your sewer line prevents sewage from flowing backwards into your house in the event of sudden rainfall overwhelming city sewer lines.

Installing one can prevent spring basement flooding by keeping it free of sewage backups.

The Restoration Group: for the emergencies that can’t be prevented

Despite the best attempts to prevent spring basement flooding, sometimes you can do nothing to stop the inevitable.

If you require flood damage restoration services, get in touch with the experts at The Restoration Group. Our professional team of technicians are available 24 hours a day to respond to any flooding emergency.

Property owners in New Jersey have placed their trust in The Restoration Group for almost 15 years for all their flood and storm damage restoration needs. That’s because we’re experts in flood cleanup and water damage restoration.

Our dedicated teams are equipped with the necessary machinery and experience to restore your home to its original condition as quickly as possible.

Contact The Restoration Group in Central NJ whenever you need them for damage restoration services, on (732) 334-3620.