Spring Waterproofing Tips

With Spring in full swing, the temperatures are rising and the flowers are blooming. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when rain is a regular occurrence, which means that the soil surrounding your home is very wet, and that excess moisture is likely to try and find its way into your basement.

Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to keep your basement bone dry this Spring.

Evaluate your grading

If your land is completely flat, or it slopes towards your home, it can mean that water naturally drains towards your home – which is bad news for your foundation.

Leaky basements are a common problem when the surrounding land doesn’t slope away from your foundation. You can re-grade the land and solve the problem, but it’s important that you have enough slope for this to be effective. To get the correct amount of slope, call in a professional waterproofing company who can assess this properly.

Check your sealant

Excess water will seek out any weak points, and damaged or degraded sealant is a prime candidate for letting moisture seep through.

Egress windows, vents, doors and any pipes leading outside all need to be properly sealed with a waterproof sealant such as caulk.

Unfortunately, these sealants don’t last forever, so check them annually and repair or reseal any cracks or damaged areas.

Clear debris from gutters and window wells

While you’re Spring cleaning your home, don’t forget about the exterior. A quick clean of your rain gutters and window wells now can prevent bigger problems later in the year.

If your gutters and window wells are clogged, water will collect around your home’s perimeter and put pressure on your walls and foundations. Any existing cracks, even tiny ones can let that water through into your basement. An afternoon of clearing out your gutters so that they can do their job and keep water directed away from your home can prevent this.

Do some sump pump maintenance

If you have a sump pump installed, it’s important to complete regular maintenance so they can continue pumping water out of your basement efficiently. The most common problem is that the sump pump can become blocked with debris. Check it regularly and remove any visible debris to help them work efficiently.

When you clear the debris, inspect your sump pump for any signs of wear and tear that indicate your sump pump may need repairing or replacing. If you’re unsure if it’s working correctly, you can test your sump pump by slowly pouring water into the well. As the well fills up with water, the sump pump should switch on, pump away the water and stop automatically when finished.

Of course, these tips are to help keep your basement dry and prevent leaks. If you already have a basement leak, you’ll need more than maintenance so call in the experts asap. At Over The Top Waterproofing, we are family-owned and operated with over 25 years of experience, serving Philadelphia, NJ, DE, and the tri-state area.

Whatever the waterproofing issue, we can help., we’re the experts when it comes to basement solutions. Our experienced team consists of only the best mechanics and masonry contractors who have truly mastered their craft. Give us a call at (609) 846-8442 to find out how we can help you keep your basement dry.