In the cold winter weather, many families and homeowners spend time in finished basements watching movies or catching up on television, using the home gym, or playing games. When it’s especially cold outside, a finished basement is an ideal place to escape the harshness of winter. In addition, winter is an excellent time for basement organization and de-cluttering projects. Because basements receive a lot of attention in the winter, be sure to keep them dry and cozy or functional all season long with these simple winter waterproofing steps.

Inspect Pipes

Throughout the winter, you’ll want to keep a close watch on your pipes, particularly when the temperature dips below freezing. Pipes, especially those near the exterior, have a chance of freezing. And if they do freeze, you’ll want to thaw and then monitor for leaking or seeping.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

We can’t say this enough. Clogged gutters and external drains and misplaced downspouts are a leading cause of water in basements. In the winter, there may be leaves or ice in gutters preventing the water from draining properly. External drains can be covered with ice, snow or other debris. Removing these blockers is important – but be sure to do it safely or call an expert to help. You’ll also to make sure that the downspouts are angled away from your house foundation. Otherwise, the water can run directly toward your house, finding its way to your basement.

Maintain Your Sump Pump and Drains

Do you have a sump pump? If so, you should have it serviced annually by a licensed waterproofing professional. In addition, be sure to inspect the sump pump drain on the exterior of your home. You will want to make sure that it is not clogged with leaves and debris. As with your gutters and downspouts, the autumn can wreak havoc on your drainage systems. Finally, it is always a good idea to on occasion inspect the sump pump pit and cord. You’ll need to unplug the sump pump, then remove any dirt and debris.

Remove Snow

When it snows, you clear your driveway or walks. However, did you know that you should also remove snow from the entire perimeter of your house? Keeping snow away from the perimeter of your house is a simple, cost-effective way to avoid excessive water from seeping through the cracks of your foundation wall. And speaking of….

Seal Wall and Floor Cracks

This is something we talk about all of the time, too, but we can’t say it enough. When the ground has too much water, from excessive rain or heavy, melting snow, it will find its way to your basement through floor and wall cracks. Seepage is a common cause of basement water. However, you can avoid it with proper maintenance and winter waterproofing.

Contact Us

Affordable Waterproofing, LLC, is a family-owned and family-operated company. We are happy to provide you with a complimentary estimate for overall basement waterproofing services, and we are always here to help in times of basement water emergencies.