A few months ago, we told you what to do if experienced flooded basement in your Layton home. Now, we are going to give you some tips on how to hopefully stop the flood before it happens! Yes, some floods are pure flukes and others are just Mother Nature showing off in a rather unkind way, but some water losses truly can be avoided with a little elbow grease. Many of the solutions involve making sure rain from those Pacific summer storms is sent away from your home, not toward it.

Clean Gutters & Downspouts

This is a great spring cleaning chore, but really can be done anytime. Clogged gutters certainly aren’t doing you, your roof, or your foundation any favors. Plus, take a good look at every downspout. Where is the water running? Stormwater s hould be carried at least three feet away from your home, if not more. If your current downspouts don’t accommodate that, simply pick up some gutter extensions or troughs.

Buy Window Well Covers

This is an easy prevention tip! A local hardware store will likely carry some clear acrylic covers you can buy and place on top of your basement’s window wells. These covers will not only keep water out, they will also keep leaves and other debris out that could be trapping moisture near your foundation and walls – which could slowly allow water to infiltrate your foundation in areas you can’t see, or trigger mold growth.

Check Your Foundation – Inside & Out!

Take an extra trip down to your basement, and carefully inspect the walls all the way around. Carefully seal off any cracks you see in the foundation and do not hesitate to call in a professional.

Do the same thing on the outside of your home – and be sure there are no cracks forming that could worsen, and allow water inside your home.

Invest in a Good Sump Pump

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is true. When it comes to keeping your basement clean and dry, don’t skimp when picking out a sump pump. Shop around, ask for expert help. If your pump it portable, it should be located in the lowest part of the basement, and connected to a reliable power source. Also, be sure the area around them is free of debris.

Have Sewers & Septic Tanks Inspected

If you haven’t had these items inspected recently, spring and summer are good times to get it done! During heavy rainfall, sewers can easily clog and your septic system could be overworked. Neither are good scenarios nor bode well for the future dryness of your basement.

As you can see, some simple prevention and routine home maintenance can go a long way. The other good news is, having a reputable flood damage restoration company on your side, like Swift Restoration can mean that even a basement flood doesn’t need to feel like your worst day. Swift Restoration offers 24/7 emergency response, so the cleanup process can start the moment you find that unwanted water In your basement.