How To Mitigate The Chance Of Flooding In Basements

CONTENTS

• Keep your gutters in good repair
• Inspect pipes for any issues
• Look after the sump pump
• Make adjustments to your garden
• Ensure the foundations are sealed
• We're here to help

Flood damage in basements can have serious consequences, but can be mitigated with certain measures such as maintaining your sump pump and keeping your gutters in good repair.

If you live in an area that is often affected by flooding, it is wise to be prepared in the event that this happens. Take a look at this document provided by the Government about how you can be organised in this situation.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we are a specialist cleaning company with expertise in flood damage restoration. Our technicians utilise advanced equipment and solutions to achieve excellent results for our clients, restoring your site to a safe environment to occupy once more.

In this blog, we take a look at how you can prevent flooding in your basement area to prevent damage occurring to your property.

Keep your gutters in good repair

Having your gutters serviced regularly will keep them in good repair and prevent excess water from flooding your basement. In the UK in 2021, there were on average 1,077 millimetres of precipitation according to Statista. It is easy to see, then, how gutters can become easily blocked.

If the gutters become full of debris and other substances like leaves and dirt, then the water isn't able to flow from the property properly, causing blockages to occur. 

Should water not be able to fall away from the building, then it will likely collect around the bottom of the property. This will cause you issues if you have a basement, and particularly if you experience heavy rainfall regularly.

It is recommended to clean the gutters approximately twice a year to maintain them well. This method of preventing flooding will save you on significant costs that would have resulted from damage to the basement.

Inspect pipes for any issues

When checking for pipe issues, you may notice a bad smell or changing water pressure. Any damage to your pipes could result in leaks in your basement. 

As soon as you notice any signs of leaks, you should call in the professionals to remediate the issue promptly. 

Specialist flood damage cleaners will be able to identify the source of the issue before treating it. They also carry out detailed risk assessments prior to any cleaning to identify any dangers such as the presence of contaminated water or the development of mould. 

The occurrence of mould following a leak is not uncommon, as damp environments provide the perfect atmosphere for this fungus to form and spread. At ICE Cleaning, we are mould remediation specialists with years of experience in the field. Call our team today to find out more about our offering.

Look after the sump pump

Sump pumps are useful when it comes to preventing flooding in basements, but should be carefully looked after to ensure they operate correctly.

Should the pump become too clogged and not maintained, then they will not be effective at pushing water outside. The pump allows the area to remain dry and free of flooding so that you can continue to use the room for your enjoyment.

If the sump pump is not working in the right way, this could actually lead to flooding in the basement. This is why it is important to consistently check the pump for any signs of damage and get it repaired if there are any issues.

It may be an idea to invest in a sump pump if you live in an area often affected by flooding, though it could be costly.

Make adjustments to the garden

In the event you have been the victim of flooding, there are some adjustments you can make to your garden that can help prevent this.

For example, you can slant the grass away from the building so that water doesn't have a chance to pool on the basement level. Additionally, planting a rain garden is another flood prevention tool. This helps to soak up a lot of water from precipitation and doesn't require a lot of upkeep - if you want to look into this, it might be worth getting in touch with a landscaper.

As well as this, you could plants local to your area in the outdoor environment. They are used to the climate in the surrounding location and have roots that are embedded further down into the soil to help absorb water.

To find out more about the benefits of rain gardens, take a look at this information provided by the Royal Horticultural Society. If you're a keen gardener, this could be something fun to add to your outdoor space.

Ensure the foundations are sealed

Sealing up any holes in the facade of the basement is an efficient way to prevent flooding, stopping excess water from coming in when it rains. This could include checking the windows are sealed up from the elements too.

Calling in the professionals is a good idea here, as they will have the relevant knowledge to check for signs of cracks and experience of repairing damage in a variety of different settings.

If there is even the smallest hole in the basement walls, this could cause a lot of harm over time. Contaminated water from both sewage and rainwater might enter the room, which is dangerous for human health. 

Should any water seep into your basement,  hire specialist flooders cleaners to assist you. At ICE Cleaning, our technicians use a wide variety of methods to remove contaminated water from the area and dry the space. 

We're here to help

To book your flood damage cleaning service, contact the team on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. Our dedicated customer service team work round the clock to support our customers with whatever they need.