How to Prevent Winter Basement Flooding

Winter can majorly impact all parts of your plumbing systems, especially if a freeze is on the way. While you would take many of the same steps you would take to protect the rest of your house’s pipes, such as ensuring frequent use and checking for damage, basements require a few extra steps to stay safe from winter floods. Here’s how to do it:

• Make sure your basement walls are safe from outside sources of water. It’s not just broken pipes that could put your basement at risk. Make sure your home’s drainage flows away from the perimeter of the building by inspecting the gutters and downspouts for clogs and cracks. If you’re expecting a lot of downpours, extend the downspouts so any icy rain is deposited at least two feet away from your foundation. Regularly clear your downspouts of ice, so they don’t overflow: the same thing that causes ice dams and water damage around your attic can also damage your basement.
• Get your plumbing inspected. Any pipes or faucets that are less regularly used are in greater danger of having their rubber gaskets dry out and crack. The basement plumbing also tends to face colder temperatures than the main interior of your house, so ask your plumber about insulation or how to best regulate the pipes’ temperatures. 

Avoiding a basement flood in the first place is the best course of action, but sometimes things go wrong in the middle of winter, whether through too much snow without enough drainage or a frozen pipe. If you live in a region with extreme winter temperatures, consider getting a sump pump that can remove the water. Contact us to learn more about winterizing your plumbing or if you need emergency plumbing response.