Why Preparing for the Next Rainfall is Important in Drought Conditions

Soil and Weather Relations:

During droughts, like we’ve seen lately, the soil around your home gets so dry that it pulls away from the foundation. This leaves gaps right next to your foundation, just waiting to be filled by even a little bit of rain. Once the rain hits, that water can easily run down those gaps and pile up against your foundation walls, putting your basement at risk. That’s why it’s important to take a few precautions to help keep your basement dry for the next heavy rain:

• Check Your Sump Pump
  Make sure there’s some water in your sump pit to keep it ready. Sump pumps have switches that can rust if they sit dry for too long, and like a truck, they need to be started every once in a while. Filling the sump pit helps ensure the pump will work when you need it. If you’re not sure whether your pump is working right, give us a call – our service team is great at helping folks out with sump pump issues.

• Clear Out Your Gutters
  Make sure your gutters aren’t clogged and that they drain well away from your foundation. When the soil is as dry as it is right now, the ground won't receive that water well, resulting in pools of water wherever your downspout leads to. Clogged gutters can cause water to spill over and land right where you don’t want it—next to your foundation.

• Lightly Water the Soil Around Your Foundation
  Every so often, water the soil around your house. Keeping the top layer of soil damp can help close up cracks, preventing rainwater from flowing straight down to your foundation. This can also help stop your foundation from sinking, which a lot of homeowners are seeing these days due to the shrinking soil. If you do water your foundation, make sure there is no way for water to enter your basement before and during the watering process. Over watering could result in basement leaks if not careful.

It’s important to take these steps year-round, no matter the weather, to keep your home safe from water damage. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates on how the weather might affect your basement.