Winter can be a difficult time on a basement, as harsh weather increases wear and tear on your home. Keep your home's foundation in better shape by following these five steps.
Clear drains before the snow comes. Monitoring the health of your drains is an often overlooked aspect of winter preparation for a home. Because winter often brings with it snow instead of rain, some people don't think drains have the same importance as during rainy springtime months. However, occasional winter rains and sudden thaws after snow can bring plenty of water that will need to be shunted away from your home. Add to this that winter comes on the heels of fall, when drains are mostly likely to get clogged up with leaves, and drain care becomes even more important.
Monitor basement for cracks. Winter can be a harsh time for the foundation of your home. With big changes in temperature and hard freezes, cracks in a foundation are all too common in cold months. If you can catch cracks before they become too serious, you will likely have a better chance of being able to avoid a more costly repair.
Fix any sloping problems before the ground freezes. Landscaping work becomes much harder after winter has already set in and the ground around your home freezes. Ensuring that water is flowing correctly around your home before freezes will be key to making sure that the spring thaw doesn't bring with it a flooded basement. If you have any doubts, pay for a professional landscaper to come out and assess the drainage slope around your home.
Protect your pipes. If a winter storm hits and knocks out your power, you might not be able to depend on the ambient heat in your home to keep your pipes from bursting. By protecting your pipes with extra insulation and patching up any weak spots, and focusing on pipes that have the closest contact to exterior walls, you can have a lot better chance of your pipes making it through a harsh winter.
Prep your home for any extended vacations. Winter can be a time of increased vacations and travels, especially over the holidays. Because the winter can be so harsh on your basement, you should make sure you have it well prepared before locking the door on your way to your vacation. Keeping the thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees, shutting off the main water supply and draining pipes by running faucets and toilets can be a great place to start. You might also enlist the help of a friend or neighbor to check on the state of your basement periodically if you are going to be gone for an extended period.
For more tips on optimizing your home to avoid flooding, contact a waterproofing company or visit sites like http://safeguardwaterproofing.com.
Share10 December 2014
