Five Tips to Prevent Potential Flood Seepage Problems

Due to the extreme cold weather and heavier snow falls in the Midwest this past winter, combined with the upcoming rains, the potential for water seepage problems this spring is greater than in past, according to Barry Schilling, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for U.S. Waterproofing, the Midwest's largest basement waterproofing company.

The company announced some spring cleaning tips that can prevent homeowners from experiencing costly basement seepage issues this year and in the future.

"Most people associate spring cleaning with taking clutter out of storage and getting rid of some of the shaggier winter clothes," Schilling said. "But we encourage people to think of spring cleaning this year as a good time to make sure the things which are vital to keeping their basement and/or crawl space dry are in the proper working order." Schilling offers the following tips:

• Carefully inspect the gutters and downspouts for damage because heavy snow and ice can cause significant damage to them. A damaged guttering system can create a multitude of seepage problems in both basements and crawl spaces.
• If the home has window well covers, they can break from ice and snow falling from the roof. Check the covers as well as clean the inside of the well to insure proper drainage.
• Check the sump pump discharge piping on the exterior of the building to make sure it is not cracked or broken from freezing during the extreme cold weather.
• Make sure the sump pump is working properly. It can be checked by connecting a garden hose to the laundry sink faucet and running water into the sump basin. Let the water run for a while and look to see that the pump keeps cycling before the water rises above the inlet pipes that feed the water into the sump basin. If there is any question as to the condition of the pump, it is a good idea to replace it.
• If the house has a back-up sump pump, the water level in the battery should be checked (unless it is the maintenance-free type). The battery terminals should be checked for corrosion and cleaned. If corrosion is found, simply disconnect the terminal, clean all the metal parts with a cola beverage, and use a small wire brush to wipe the battery post and terminal clean to insure proper connection. Finally, apply grease to the battery terminals to help protect them from the elements.