Preventing water damage in your home

Now that it is spring. Here are eight tips to prevent water damage in your home.

1. seal cracks in the foundation, walls and basement floors. Existing cracks can be sealed from the inside.

2. install window wells and covers. window wells dug outside a below-grade window, are reinforced with galvanized steel that supports the earth and blocks debris and moisture from reaching your basement windows. Also adding well covers or plastic sheeting as barriers will provide extra protection.

3. weeping tile or foundation drain. Also called a drain tile, perimeter tile or foundation drain. A weeping tile is a porous pipe used for underground water collection. It is buried around your foundation to drain moisture. Where to direct your weeping tile drainage is very important. Install a sump pump in your basement and direct weeping tile water to it. Then it can be pumped to a safe distance from your home with a flexible line.

4. disconnect your eavestrough downspouts from your weeping tile ( for sanitary sewer drains). Downspouts are used to move water at least 6 feet away from your house. But downspouts connected to your weeping tile or sanitary sewer drain can overwhelm these systems leading to sewer backup. When redirecting your downspouts, avoid sending the water to a driveway or sidewalk as it can ice over in the winter and cause another problem.

5. get a backup power source for your sump pump. Have your sump pump connected to a reliable power source such as a battery or generator

6. install a backwater valve. allows sewage to flow out of your house and not back in when the sewer system is overwhelmed. A backwater valve has a removable cover to allow for regular maintenance. If you don't have one, a plumber can assess your plumbing to see if you qualify. Installing one could get you a discount.

7. avoid pouring fats and grease down your drain. Over time they can build up and create blockages which can lead to sewer backup. Dispose of regular food waste

8. clean debris out of your eavestrough and downspouts. When storm sewer systems are clogged, there is a higher risk of water flowing back toward your property.