Homeowners often don’t think about their basements during the winter months. In fact, they often start thinking about the current state of their basement when it rains in the spring. However, the rainy springs in Michigan are not the only threats to your basement. Winter can be just as bad for basements, if not worse. Winter basement flooding often occurs when the snow melts and turns into water. In some instances, melting snow can let in more water than torrential rains. Let’s take a look at how StayDry® can help you with your basement and foundation during the winter months.
Check Your Sump Pump
Many people often don’t realize that they have a sump pump until it rains or there is water in their basement. We recommend checking on your sump pump at least once per year. In fact, it may be time to overhaul your sump pump. StayDry® is the premiere installer of the PitBoss+ Sump Pump Smart Outlet. Instead of worrying about the status of your sump pump, get a system that continuously monitors water levels in your basement. You can even get alerts if there is an issue. Plus, if the power goes out, we have a battery backup system that keeps your sump pump going 24/7
Check on the Current State of Your Foundation
Winter is the time of year that puts the most stress on your foundation. When the ground freezes, you will often get new cracks. If you have horizontal wall cracks in your foundation, you have a serious issue on your hands. Vertical and diagonal wall cracks can easily be repaired and the StayDry® team has 100+ years of basement waterproofing experience to make sure that you are protected throughout the year.
Check Your Tie Rod Holes
Tie rod holes are a given in older homes. These are holes in your foundation that are left from the original construction of your home. When the snow melts, water can pour through these. StayDry® has a proprietary polyurethane crack injection that is great for sealing these holes up once and for all.
Get Your Plumbing Inspected
StayDry® has a certified master plumber on staff. Winter is a great time to make sure that your pipes are adequately insulated. Your basement tends to be colder than the rest of your home, so checking your basement plumbing is a must. We can also suggest crack injection and insulation for places where pipes and sewer drainage comes through your foundation.
Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive
According to research done by the United Homeowners Association and other home ownership organizations, as many as 90% of homeowners call a contractor after something has already happened. If you see snow on the ground or you are just worrying about your basement, give StayDry® a call. Some of the services that we can provide in the winter include:
- Interior basement waterproofing.
- Crack injection for weak spots in your home\’s foundation
According to the United Homeowners Association (UHA), most homeowners call a contractor when it is already too late. To avoid this predicament, you need to understand that during this season there will be more precipitation on the surface due to rain and thawing snow during warmer days. This will increase lateral pressure against foundation walls and eventually this moisture finds its way into your basement.
Things You Can Do Around the Exterior of Your Home
When there is no snow on the ground, you can do a few things to make sure that water does not leak into your basement:
- Clean downspouts so that water moves away from your home.
- Make sure that your landscape gradient allows water to drain away from your home.
- Make sure that your egress windows are clear of debris.
StayDry® also can do a complete foundation inspection. We can recommend the right course of action to repair those leaky walls.
Do I Need To Worry About My Crawl Space in the Winter?
Many homes in Michigan are built with dirt, vented crawl spaces. Vented crawl spaces can let in snow and water during the winter months. Our crawl spacing moisture vapor barrier will help keep snow and moisture out. Encapsulating your crawl space will also help keep heat in, saving you money on your heating bill.
Get a Free Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Estimate Today
StayDry® is ready to service you this winter. We offer a zero-cost, no-obligation estimate. Give us a call at (800) STAY-DRY and we\’ll help you keep water out of your home this winter. Ask about our industry-leading, lifetime transferrable warranty, and 0% financing.
