Basement flooding in the Salt Lake area is not a rare occurrence. With the rainy season soon upon us, the likelihood that your basement may flood increases. There is plenty that can be done right now to prevent your basement from flooding. The good news is that you probably won’t have to spend much time or money to make it happen.

Here are some steps you can take to accomplish that:

1. Clean out your gutters.

Leaves, dirt and debris act like a dam and can block water from flowing. If your gutters are clogged, the water will run down the walls and stay near the home. Keep gutters free of debris and position downspouts away from the foundation of your home.

2. Extend your downspouts.

Extend your downspouts far away from your house. The pipes should extend no less than 10 feet away from the home.

3. Create grading in your yard.

Raise the grade around the perimeter of your home to promote positive drainage away from your foundation. Make sure surrounding soil is pitched away from the home so that water drains toward your yard and not your foundation.

4. Have a working sump pump.

If you do have a sump pump, make sure it’s working by opening the cover and pulling through to the float. You will then hear the electric motor running. If it does not run, make sure it’s plugged into an outlet and check your circuit breakers. If it still is not working, have it replaced. If you have a below-grade sump pump, also check to make sure it is free of debris.

5. Have a backup power source.

You can buy a backup power source for your sump pump also. If you lose electricity in a storm, you can still keep the water from rising up through the foundation of your house.

6. Clear outdoor drains.

If you have outdoor steps leading down to the basement, make sure the drain at the bottom of the steps is free from any blockage.

7. Keep window wells clean.

If you have window wells that are below grade, remove any debris and purchase a plastic cover to keep rain and debris out.

Even with preparation, flooding can still happen. If you have a flood in your basement, give us a call. AAA Restoration is here to help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.