If you’ve noticed that your basement is taking on water when it rains, you need to do some work to keep the water away from your foundation. Basement waterproofing, among the following steps, is a critical component of this process.

How to Keep Your Basement Dry

1. Check Grading

Grading is the slope of your yard, specifically whether your home is downhill or uphill. If your house is at the lowest point of your yard, water will flow toward it and sink into the foundation or basement. The land around your foundation should slope downward at least six inches within 10 feet of your foundation.

If this isn’t the case, it’s possible to fix the grading of your property by yourself. You simply need to add dense soil to the area to create this slope. It won’t look very dramatic, but it will help keep your basement water-free.

2. Clean Gutters

If your gutters aren’t properly maintained, and you haven’t had any basement waterproofing, it’s a recipe for a wet basement and damaged foundation. In a 1-inch rainstorm, about 1,743 gallons of water hit your roof. If your gutters aren’t working properly, much of this water can go straight to the basement and foundation.

Clean your gutters regularly and ensure they haven’t accumulated any debris. Generally, perform this chore when the seasons change, and get them inspected at least once a year. Also, the downspouts of your gutters need to drain at least 10 feet away from the house. You can extend your downspouts if necessary.

3. Consider Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing is one of the most effective weapons against a damp home. When you hire a waterproofing company, they’ll assess your basement and determine where your problems are coming from. It’s possible for water to come in from foundation walls, basement wall cracks, and even up from under the basement floor. The basement waterproofing process repairs these cracks and flaws, and technicians might install a sump pump or another method of expelling excess water.

 

If you need reliable basement waterproofing for your home, look no further than Jaco Waterproofing. Renowned as a leading basement and foundation repair contractor in Cincinnati, OH, and Indianapolis, IN, with over 40 years in business, they specialize in both residential and commercial waterproofing and repair. To have a professional technician evaluate your specific challenges, call (317) 721-9379 for Indianapolis or (513) 738-0084 for Cincinnati. Visit their website for more information on their services.