Moderate to severe rainstorms are expected to make their way across Central Ohio from now through the end of May. Of course, all this rain has to go somewhere! If your basement isn't properly waterproofed, it's likely that it'll end up in your basement. 

Don't wait for your basement to flood before calling us! We will send a certified Sales Inspector to your home to thoroughly assess the condition of your home's foundation, basement, and exterior. Read on for a list of the most common issues we find that can cause your basement to flood.

Inside & Out: Basement Red Flags!

Clogged gutters and downspouts

In many of the homes our Sales Inspectors visit, there's often an issue with the gutter system and downspouts. This can be a clogged gutter, a loose fitting, or a downspout that's too short or damaged, preventing water from being drained away from the foundation. This can cause water to pool and sit around your foundation, where it will eventually seep into your basement.

The solution is simple: Be sure to have your gutters cleaned regularly and inspect them for signs of damage or wear. For downspout repair or installation, we specialize in extending gutter downspouts underground to keep water flowing away from your foundation.

Improper Grading

For water to drain away from the foundation most effectively, the ground around your house should be graded slightly downward from the home. This creates a path of least resistance for rainwater, preventing it from accumulating around your foundation.

Cracks and Bowing Walls

If the water saturation in the ground around your foundation isn't addressed, this can lead to foundation cracks and bowing, leaning basement walls. Even minor cracks in your basement walls can allow groundwater to seep in. Over time, these cracks will grow larger as water continues to work its way in, eroding the foundation. 

This issue can be addressed early on by taking care of the exterior problems noted above. For cracks that are already leaking significantly, our Sales Inspector may recommend waterproofing the basement with our WaterGuard French drain system.

Sump Pump Failure

Oftentimes, your home's sump pump has failed before you even know it. All it takes is one heavy rain with a faulty sump pump to flood your entire basement. To prevent this from happening, we recommend pairing our waterproofing system with our TripleSafe sump pump. It has a 3-pump-in-1 design that includes a main pump, battery backup pump, and heavy-duty pump to handle high volumes of water.

Don't Wait: Call Today!

The issues noted above are incredibly common and occur in most homes with basements prone to leaks and floods. Mid-State Basement Systems is the expert in waterproofing, foundation repair, downspout repair and installation, and sump pump installation. Give us a call today to prepare your basement and foundation before the rain gets to it first!