Reduce and Prevent Basement Flooding

Melting snow, warm rain, and high water tables often mean water or dampness in the basement of many homes. Here is our advice to reduce and prevent flooding and dampness in your basement.

A dry March, wet April, and cool May,
Fill barn, cellar, and bring much hay.

• Installing gutters can help reduce the amount of water coming into the basement. And pointing (cementing the cracks of) an old stone foundation may help to limit the water that gets in.
• Improve the ventilation by installing screens and keeping foundation windows open.
• Keep doors open.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors.
• Run an electric fan to help improve air movement. (Be sure to turn it off when you leave for an extended period of time.)
• Install window exhaust fans.
• Wrap all cold-water pipes (which have a tendency to sweat) with fiberglass insulation or foam sleeves.
• Bring stored boxes outside to dry in the sunshine.
• Fill a couple of cloth bags (roughly the size of a grocery bag) with calcium chloride and hang them from the ceiling to absorb moisture.

Have you experienced flooding in your basement recently? What were your most successful tricks? Let us know!