Seven tips to avoid a flooded basement

Warmer temperatures are certainly a welcome relief, but melting snow and spring rain can cause a whole new set of problems, including a flooded basement.

TVs home repair expert Bob Vila offers seven tips for avoiding a flooded basement, with a few comments by local basement expert Rob Kesler of Bone Dry Waterproofing in Fenton.

Keslers company provides structural repairs, using epoxy and urethane injections, as well as interior drain tile systems. If your basement is finished, you may not be able to see whats happening behind the walls, said Kesler. Your first clue for moisture may be a musty smell or any signs of water, especially between the wall and the floor.

1 Check your gutters and downspouts

Keep gutters free of debris and position downspouts away from your homes foundation. Your goal is to drain storm water at least 3 feet away, so some home-owners may have to run extensions or troughs.

2 Repair foundation cracks

Inspect exterior foundation and your basements walls and floors. Use epoxy to fill any foundation cracks and apply masonry sealer indoors, if necessary. Typically, in a poured wall, Kesler would use high pressure urethane grout injection.

If its a cinder block wall, Bone Dry Waterproofing would either do a dig out from the outside or an interior drain tile system, re-routing the water underneath the floor.

Its a very common problem, he said.

3 Make sure your sump pump is working

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Seven tips to avoid a flooded basement