Inspect Winter Damages to Protect Your Basement from Spring Leaks

Art Holliday of KSDK Newschannel 5 met up with Woods Basement Systems' Dave Thompson to discuss how winter weather damages can pose problems for homes come spring.  There are a few quick ways you can inspect your home for winter damages and make necessary repairs to prevent basement leaks when warmer weather and spring storms arrive.

Maintain gutters and downspouts.

The weight of ice and snow buildup on gutters can cause gutters to pull away from the roofline and allow rainwater to bypass the gutter system altogether and fall next to the foundation.  Gutters should be securely fastened to fascia at the roof edge to prevent such leaks.  Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned out to prevent clogging, and downspouts should be extended at least ten feet away from the foundation to prevent pooling.

Inspect basement walls for cracks.

Water always follows the path of least resistance.  A simple hairline crack in a basement wall could be enough for groundwater to seep in and damage stored items or valuables.  You should inspect your foundation walls for new cracks and check to see whether old cracks have become worse.

Repair or replace sump pumps.

Sump pumps are not failsafe.  Located below the basement floor in the soil, sump pumps can become caked with mud, silt, and other debris that washes into the sump pit along with groundwater.  During severe weather, power outages also render DC-powered sump pumps useless.  Both problems can be prevented by performing annual pump maintenance and adding a battery backup sump pump to your waterproofing system.

Contact a Certified Waterproofing Professional for a FREE estimate.

Certified waterproofing professionals at Woods Basement Systems can inspect your basement and foundation walls for free and provide you with a free estimate.  Our System Design Specialists are trained to diagnose basement wall cracks and foundation problems, and they are available to discuss options for repairing basement leaks.  Contact us today to schedule a free inspection, and get ready to enjoy a dry basement!