With the heavy snowfall receding slowly and prospects of rain looking bright, it is wise for home owners to take some preventive measures to keep their foundation safe. Improper runoff as well as drainage can direct the water towards the foundation. Removing snow that is over two feet depth on the roof is necessary and while you are at it, you need to take care of the ice that you may find underneath the snow too.

Leak-proofing Your Home

Water can seep into the house by many ways. The rooftops, eaves troughs, sump pumps, and downspouts are some of the common areas that can cause moisture seep into the foundation.

• Removing the snow piled on the overhangs and eaves trough is significant as when huge amounts of snow collect in these areas, the water will backup and enter down underneath the shingles and get into the house.
• Basement is another area where water can get into the house. The clogged downspouts which are often due to the ice and snow packing up into them can make the water overflow and enter through the cracks that are present in the foundation. It is therefore important to keep the downspouts free of ice and snow.
• Clogged sump pumps can also let water enter the foundation. During heavy downpours, the water on the roof gets stagnated due to the snow and ice blocking the gutters and downspouts. It also starts to run beside the house getting into the foundation and the weeping tiles which can cause the sumps to overflow and flood the house. Ensuring that the sumps are clear and properly running will prevent this from happening.

Checking on the Basement

The basement is one area of the house that needs to be checked thoroughly to prevent water seepage into the foundation. For instance, you need to look at the areas where the utilities like hydro or cables come into the basement. Any gaps in the inlet area should be cleared of snow or if possible, the gaps should be sealed to prevent excess water from entering the home.

Checking the Property

Looking for drainage points and clearing them keeps your foundation dry and free of water. Here are some tips:
• Shovel away all the snow around the house to at least 3 to 5 feet so it drains away from the foundation.
• The downspouts need to be extended a minimum of 2 meters distance from your foundation.
• Sump pump needs to be in good working condition.
• Water sensing alarm can be installed.

If you find a storm drain plugged or water pooling in the neighborhood, you need to report it. For more serious problems within the house, calling a water proofing company will help. The waterproofing companies are trained in identifying the areas that allow water access and keep them repaired.

With the amount of rainfall that can occur being unpredictable, it is the duty of residents to gear up and lessen the magnitude. With an extreme winter and abrupt meltdown, properties can get damaged considerably. Making sure you have taken all the necessary measures will keep your basement dry and safe.