Spring storms are a natural fact of life and there is nothing we can do to prevent them. However, we can do something to safeguard ourselves from the damage storms, leading to floods, can do to our homes. Flooded basements are the most common of household problems all over the world and apart from the mess, inconvenience and destruction they create, they can also bring other serious problems.

If your basement is prone to flooding, you will begin to see a rise in your insurance premiums due to the frequent claims and a depreciation in the value of your property because of the recurrent damage. Frequent flooding can damage the building and household equipment that may not be covered by your insurance. Last, but certainly not least, are the detrimental effects on health from chronic damp conditions: an increase in respiratory problems, for example.

Water levels often rise in the spring when snow is melting rapidly during a sudden thaw or because of the heavy rainfall associated with the time of year. Water enters your basement through vents, ducts, cracks in the walls that have not been properly sealed or have become damaged, or from the perimeter drains of the basement’s waterproofing system. The problem is particularly common where the basement is below the level of the water table. In such houses, a sump pit is usually created. This is a hole for collecting rainwater or water draining from the waterproofing system. This water needs to be removed before it can overflow and flood the basement.

Where basement flooding is a recognized problem, sump pumps are fitted to pump water away from the house towards a storm drain or well. Most basement waterproofing systems depend on the sump pump to detect when the water in the sump pit reaches a certain level at which point it begins its work. Cleaning up a basement from water damage can be time consuming and expensive. If you have invested heavily in your property, than a sump pump is a must have investment.

Having a reliable sump pump is essential to safeguard households from the devastation caused by flooding. Although it runs off the home’s electrical system, it needs to have a battery back-up in case of electrical failure and must be powerful enough to deal with heavy, fast rain. Keeping a spare pump handy as an additional safeguard is also an excellent idea. It is important to be aware of your basement’s sump pump system and ensure it is regularly and properly maintained, so that you can rest easy during the next spring storm or thaw.