April Showers Brings May Flowers is a cute saying; however, April Showers can also do a lot of damage, especially to your basement. As you know, a flooded basement is a nightmare for homeowners. All of that flood damage is a mess to clean up and expensive to repair, plus a wet basement leads to mold in your home. And if your basement is prone to flooding, you’re probably not looking forward to April Showers season. The good news is that there are several preventative measures you can take to help protect your home and your bank account from a flooded basement this April.

– If this April is anything like what we’re used to, then we can expect heavy and frequent rains that will compromise your sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to help prevent basement flooding. The protection they offer is especially important in finished basements containing recreation rooms, offices and bedrooms. As the water table rises and falls through the seasons, the pump collects excess water and moves it away from your home’s foundation, preventing flooding or other damage. Sump pump failure is one of the main causes of basement flooding but the good news is that it is easily avoidable. A typical sump pump has a lifespan of nearly five to seven years, but as you know, appliances and vital equipment have the tendency to fail when we need them most. That is why it is extremely important to check your sump pump operations regularly. You do this by removing the cover and slowly pouring water into the sump tank. Watch for the “float” to rise and trigger the pump. Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump. This is what is called a normal sump cycle and it is how you know your sump pump is functioning properly.

If your pump does not cycle properly or you’re just not sure if your sump pump is up to the numerous April Showers ahead, contact us and we’ll gladly send one of our expert plumbers to your home to make sure your sump pump is up to the challenge of a rainy spring.

-Keep the power on. Keep in mind that your sump pump only works when the power is on. If you tend to experience frequent power outages during strong storms, it might be a good idea to have a backup generator installed or invest in a battery-powered backup sump pump, just in case.

– Make sure your foundation does not fail you. Take some time and inspect the interior walls of your basement and your exterior foundation for cracks or damage that water could seep through. If you find any cracks, they need to be repaired as soon as possible.

Rainy Day – Do a gutter check. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and other debris and making sure your downspouts are properly positioned, will help protect your home’s foundation from water damage. You want to ensure that your downspouts are draining water at least three feet away from your home. If your gutters are over flowing or your downspouts are not position correctly, the excess rain water will collect around your home’s foundation, causing it to erode and water will get into your basement.

– Have your sewer lines inspected and cleared if needed. Clogged and neglected sewer lines can lead to a flooded disaster during heavy rains. Our experienced team has the latest hydro-jet cleaning and camera inspection equipment. We can expertly clean your sewer lines from tree roots and debris that can clog your sewer lines before you have a major issue on your hands. Schedule your sewer line inspection appointment today and rest easy knowing that April Showers are no match for your newly cleared sewer lines.

– Invest in window well covers. If you have windows around the foundation of your home, meant to allow natural light into your basement, installing window well covers will go a long way in the fight against basement flooding. You can get clear acrylic covers, so your home is still protected from flooding and the sunlight will still be able to reach your basement. As a bonus, window well covers will also help keep pests and other debris out of your basement.

If you take these preventative measures, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the April Showers this season and dream of all of the beautiful flowers you’ll see this May!