5 Spring Maintenance Steps to Prevent Basement Flooding

Spring in the Chicago suburbs can be extreme in multiple ways. The ground thaws, the rain arrives, and snowmelt from all winter starts looking for somewhere to go. For a lot of homeowners in the northwest suburbs, that somewhere ends up being the basement. The difference between a dry spring and a flooded one usually comes down to a handful of maintenance steps.

1. Inspect and Test Your Sump Pump

Your sump pump is the last line of defense between a heavy rain event and a ruined basement. The worst time to find out it isn’t working is at 10 PM on a Tuesday with two inches of rain in the forecast. Before spring gets underway, pull the cover and test it. If the unit is more than seven years old, or if it’s not working reliably, it’s worth replacing. While you’re at it, make sure the discharge line is clear of debris and sending water away from your foundation.

2. Add a Battery Backup

A functioning sump pump that loses power in a storm is the same as no sump pump at all. Major rain events and power outages usually arrive together. A battery backup system keeps your pump running through an outage. If you’ve already got a primary pump that’s in good condition, adding a backup makes sense.

3. Clear Your Drains and Downspout Extensions

Water that can’t move away from your home will find its way toward it. Walk around your home and check that your downspout extensions are intact, connected, and directing water at least six feet from the foundation. Then check your window well drains, floor drains, and any other outside drain covers for leaves, debris, or trash that might be clogging things up.

4. Have Your Main Sewer Line Inspected

Spring flooding doesn’t always come from the outside in. A partially blocked or damaged sewer line can back up into your basement drain just as easily as surface water, and it’s a lot less pleasant to deal with. If you haven’t had a camera inspection of your main line in the last few years, spring is the right time to do it.

5. Check Your Foundation for New Cracks and Gaps

Winter is hard on foundations. All those freezes and thaws open hairline cracks, shift things, and create new ways for water to get in that didn’t exist last fall. Before the spring rains, walk along your basement walls and floor looking for anything new (think cracks and damp spots).

If your sump pump is due for replacement, your drains need professional attention, or you’d like a camera inspection of your main sewer line before the wet season arrives, Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing is ready to help. Contact us to schedule a visit.