The only race you may be looking forward to is coming soon, and it’s NOT in your basement, right? May is Indiana’s wettest month and is known for its extreme spring storms, so make sure your basement and sump pump are prepared for anything this season. Today we share our top five tips for avoiding a flooded basement, including routine leak checks and maintenance from the experts at Service Plus Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Indianapolis.
1. Schedule a sump pump inspection
Regular inspections and routine maintenance are essential in keeping your home’s equipment ready for extreme weather. This extends to your basement’s sump pump. A sump pump is a device that channels excess groundwater away from your basement and into a designated drainage area, like a city drain or designated retention pond. Service Plus can inspect your sump pump at any time to ensure it’s working correctly and ready to keep your basement dry in the event of heavy rain or storms.
2. Install a battery backup
Power outages are common during major storms, so you’ll likely want to invest in a battery backup for your sump pump if you don’t have one already. If the power goes out as a storm rages on, a backup battery will keep your sump pump fully functioning and your basement dry. Our plumbing experts can help update your sump pump today with their professional, honest and convenient service on every job.
3. Check your gutters and downspouts
If you aren’t regularly cleaning your gutters, especially during the extreme weather of a Midwest spring, you could soon be facing a flooded basement. When your gutters become blocked during heavy rain, the water isn’t diverted away from the house and could end up dumping right onto the foundation and into your basement. Even if your gutters are clear, be sure to check that your downspouts are angled away from your home, too.
4. Grade your lawn away from the house
Grading your lawn can make a big difference in the water that winds up next to your home (or eventually in your home) during a major storm. Ideally, your lawn should slope away from your exterior walls and toward your property lines, street, or city gutters. If you walk around your home and notice that your lawn is sloping toward it instead of away, work with a landscaper to update your lawn or landscaping and decrease your risk of flooding.
5. Regular leak checkups
Beyond a sump pump inspection, you may also want to have a plumbing expert from Service Plus check your home for other leaks. While extreme weather is the biggest culprit for spring flooding, a small but steady leak can do damage as well. Our plumbers can inspect your pipes, fixtures, water heater, slab, etc., for leaks with a quick home analysis that may save you time and money with early detection and repair.
If you are concerned about what could happen to your home in the event of a heavy spring storm, race to the phone and give Service Plus a call at (317) 434-2627. We’ll bring in our “pit crew” to make sure your sump pump is prepped and ready to face the storms of this season and keep your basement dry.