We all dread when we hear a drip, drip, drip coming from the direction of our basement
. Heaven forbid that you hear a big whoosh instead. The leak is a little bit easier than and not as stressful to handle as a flood may be. Here are some do-it-yourself tips on how to prevent leaks in your basement.
Improper grading can contribute to leaks in your home. What is improper grading you ask? It has to do with the landscaping around your home. Many people put layer after layer of mulch down in their yards. When the landscaping builds up to the point that it is higher than the foundation of your home, it is considered improper grading. This slope toward your home can cause big trouble. When it rains, water collects in the landscaping and can release over the top of the foundation. Unfortunately the best remedy for this is time consuming. It requires digging and taking away years of mulch bedding around the exterior of the house. Ideally you will have at least six inches below the top of the foundation, but this isnt always possible with older homes so try to get at least three inches under the top of the foundation.
The next thing you need to look at are the gutters and how the water is channeled away from your home. Make sure your downspouts have at least a five-foot extension away from the home. Make sure the gutters around your home are clean, if they aren't youre just asking for trouble.
Try these preventative measures before paying an arm and a leg for someone to come out and do all kinds of unnecessary things to your home. Youd be amazed at what you can actually fix by yourself and then you can spend that money on something fun like creating your own garden. All the more fun work for you!