A flooded basement is the absolute worst. If you’re looking for ways to completely avoid this misfortune during this winter season, you’ve come to the right place. Below are a few general tips for keeping your basement from flooding this winter that will help you ensure it indeed does not happen.

Have Your House Inspected

It’s not a bad idea to have your house inspected during the fall before the winter comes at you full-force. Having the roof and walls of your house carefully inspected will improve the overall condition of your home and strengthen it before the harshness of winter arrives. Taking care of small odd jobs, such as repairing cracks in the walls, putting a new cap over the chimney, looking at basement waterproofing southern Illinois or wherever you are located, and insulating the windows, will prevent the flooding and leaking that could possibly occur.

Ensure Drainage Works Properly

If you have any that look rusty or damaged, get them repaired. Check your gutters for leaves or additional debris, and clean them out if necessary. Once you’ve done this, double-check to make sure the water drains away from the walls of your home.

Clear Ice and Snow from Downspouts

If you get a large amount of snow or ice, going outside and checking to make sure your downspouts are clear of ice and snow is a smart decision. Identifying this situation and fixing it will decrease your chances of having a flood in your basement.

Double-Check the Sump Pump

Unfortunately, the sump pump is one of the most common causes of floods in basements. If yours isn’t working properly, get it fixed or replaced immediately. By avoiding or not paying attention to this problem, you risk a flood damaging your basement and all its contents. Be proactive and keep a close eye on your sump pump. And if the power goes out, make sure there’s a backup power source, considering the pump runs on electricity.

If you miss one of the points listed above, you could unfortunately face a flood this winter. Don’t let this be the case! Instead, keep these tips for keeping your basement from flooding this winter in the back of your mind as the cold comes your way. You’ll thank us later for these tips when you’re enjoying your dry basement during the cold winter months.