We have received a lot of phone calls from past clients and contacts experiencing water problems, namely wet and flooded basements. The wet weather conditions around Indianapolis this past winter, coupled with the current precipitation is damagin a lot of Indianapolis homes.
Many of you have complained that your sump pumps are running continuously and unfortunately many have found their basements wet. A few things to note, especially for those with basements:
- Sump pumps: Yes, it is normal during “wet” times like these for your sump pumps to activate more than usual. Be diligent in making sure your pump is working. If you dont hear it turning on, verify that it is working. If you can remove the pit cover, you can manually activate the “float switch” to make sure it is alive and well. If your pump is not equipped with a battery back-up, it might not be a bad idea to make that purchase. That way, if the power should happen to go out, your pump will continue to work.
- Window wells: We have received calls from a few people with window wells. These areas are very prone to flooding, especially if they are shallow and dont have an outlet drain installed. Keep an eye on those types of shallow window wells. For those who do have a drainage pipe installed, make sure the inlet is free of debris and not clogged.
- Gutters and Downspouts: If you have not already done so, make sure your gutters and downspouts are not clogged with debris. Clogged gutters will cause water to dump over the trough and down to the ground, right next to your foundation/basement. The further you can direct water away from your house, the better off your home will be. Make sure your downspouts empty onto a splash block, at the very least, A more effective approach is to extend your downspouts away from your house a minimum of 8 to 10 ft away. The most common way is to use black corrugated or white pvc pipe, buried below ground and run out to daylight.
- Roof: This past winter was especially harsh on roofs. Roofs that have not leaked in the past 10 years suddenly developed problems. As far as we can tell, a lot of the water infiltration has been caused by ice that has lifted shingles, underlayments and metal flashings: the components that protect your home from water invasion. Please take a look and check for signs of any lifted shingles or other visual evidence of potential problems. One tip: A pair of binoculars can be a handy tool for taking a closer look at your roof safely, without climbing a ladder!
Hopefully, no one has experienced any significant damage. To be sure your home remains dry, we recommend checking the above items. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We are happy to help. You can request your guide below:
