Before the snow melts, or the heavy rains of spring and summer start, make sure your home is fully prepared to avoid water damage.
Test your sump pump
Most homes in Colorado have basements and/or crawl spaces. Anytime you have living or storage areas below ground level, you’re susceptible to water damage. If you’ve ever had water in your basement, now may be the time to install a sump pump. If you already have one in place, make sure you test it regularly. In heavy conditions, you may also choose to have a spare to handle heavy water drainage.
Plan and be prepared
If you are remodeling or designing basement living areas, work with a contractor who has the knowledge of restoration as well. They will be trained on prevention methods before problems occur, and can check out community plans for water tables and underground rivers. Understanding the layout of your home, and possible issues can help you plan and prepare as you upgrade your home.
Keep water away from the foundation
When planting and planning landscaping, keep plants that require a lot of water away from the foundation. Move snow away from the house. Keep water out of window wells, and contour the ground so water flows away from the house instead of standing and soaking into the ground. Put in rain spouts to move water away from the foundation.
Keep important materials away from areas where potential flooding is a problem
If you’ve had flooding or water standing in the basement, make sure you keep personal belongings out of the areas with the greatest potential. Keep family heirlooms like photographs and albums on higher levels of the home.
