Why Basements are Prone to Leaking in the Winter
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that your basement is protected from water damage. After a heavy snow comes water, after all. Any basement that is not properly waterproofed needs extra care and attention from the elements, but there are things you can do to protect your investment and keep water out of the basement.
During the winter, the ground is frozen, but the basement continues to radiate heat. This means that any snow sitting on the ground quickly melts, creating a pocket of moisture. The water becomes trapped between the basement walls and the soil, and this can be forced into the basement through cracks in the walls.
It’s not just snow around the foundation that is a problem but snow on rooftops as well. If there’s a warm winter day with the sun shining, it will cause the snow to melt, which will then fall down around the foundation. As hard as you may try to keep melting snow away from the home, it’s nearly impossible to prevent.
What Can I Do to Protect My Home?
Thankfully, there are many things you can do to protect your home – the key is to be proactive. First, make sure that your home’s gutters and downspouts are in good condition, clean and tightly attached. Throughout the winter, check for debris and ice. All downspouts should be pointed in a direction where water will be directed away from the home.
In addition, you should think ahead when snow plowing or shoveling your driveway. Don’t shovel excess snow near the home; instead, it should be shoveled onto your lawn, a safe distance away from the home’s structure.
Now may also be a good time to invest in a new sump pump with an alarm. A sump pump comes in handy if your basement does experience standing water, but it needs to be working properly. A final option is to have your basement waterproofed, which is a smart move if you want a finished basement or an area to keep your most precious belongings.
Expert Drainage Solutions for Your Property
Don’t let your valuable landscape investment wash away! Trust Horizon Landscape Company to install the correct drainage systems for your property. We’ve been in business and serving Bergen County and the surrounding areas in New Jersey for over 40 years. Call the experts at 201-848-0022.