A crawl space in Bennettsville, North Carolina is encapsulated following flood damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Photo by Southeast Foundation & Crawl Space Repair.
The torrential rain and flooding from Hurricane Dorian will likely leave numerous residents in the coastal Carolinas, southeast Virginia, and southeast New England with water damage to their basements and crawl spaces.
Dorian should serve as a reminder for homeowners to be proactive in protecting their homes from damage caused by flooding and severe weather.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirms that flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, affecting every state and resulting in billions of dollars spent each year on repairing water damage. According to FEMA, recovering from flood damage costs $27,000 for the average home.
Without proper drainage and waterproofing solutions in place, water can easily enter the basement or crawl space and create serious problems, like mold growth and wood rot. Prevention is key in reducing the risk of flooding before, during, and after a hurricane or severe weather.
Basement Systems, a leading developer and installer of basement waterproofing and crawl space sealing solutions, offers tips for preventing water damage in the basement or crawl space:
- Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts. Keeping the gutters free of debris and extending the downspouts at least three feet away from the home ensures that water from rain and storms won’t pool next to the foundation.
- Check yard grading. The lawn and landscaping should slope away from the foundation.
- Fix foundation cracks. Cracks in the foundation allow for water intrusion. Check the foundation walls and basement floor and call a professional if you come across cracks during your inspection.
- Maintain or install a sump pump with a battery back-up. If there’s no sump pump, but there’s been a problem with water intrusion in the basement or crawl space, consider having a sump pump and interior drainage system installed to prevent future water damage.
- Cover window wells. Below-grade basement windows should be protected against water leaks with window well covers.
- Hire a reputable company to do the work. Before hiring a contractor, verify the company’s contact information, ask for references, verify licensing and insurance requirements, and avoid door-to-door solicitations by “storm chasers.”
- Consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood damage is not typically covered by homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies.
Poor drainage, heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and broken water mains can all result in flooding. Basement Systems has more than 250 dealers across the United States and Canada who are experienced in helping homeowners deal with flooding in the basement or crawl space.
To locate a waterproofing or foundation contractor in the areas affected by Hurricane Dorian or for more information on preventing flooding in the basement and crawl space, visit www.basementsystems.com.
About Basement Systems
Basement Systems, Inc. is a leader in the basement waterproofing and crawl space repair industries with more than 30 product patents and thousands of installations per year. Headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut, Basement Systems employs more than 200 people and has more than 250 authorized dealers across the United States and Canada.
