Temperatures are on the rise in the Chicago area, and while it means that going outside is a little more bearable, it also means that the snow is starting to melt. This melting snow means wet basements for a lot of homeowners in the region. This basement moisture can cause serious damage if left neglected for too long. In fact, it could cause the development of nasty mold and mildew. This could make your family really sick. What’s more is that this basement moisture could cause serious problems for the structural integrity of your home.
Wet basements cause wooden materials to rot, warp, decay, and deteriorate. This means that your wooden support beams and floor joists are going to start rotting away. These materials are partially responsible for holding up the weight of your home, so it’s important that they are strong, stable, and in relatively good shape.
Prevent a Flooded Basement
So, as a Chicago homeowner, what can you do to prevent a flooded basement as the spring months grow nearer and nearer? Roy Spencer of Perma-Seal says that it is important to make sure that your sump pump’s discharge lines are in good, working order and aren’t frozen. While temperatures during the day may reach points above freezing, it’s still getting very cold at night, and this may cause your discharge line to freeze up.
If water isn’t able to get out of your basement drains and waterproofing systems through the sump pump, this could mean that you are left with a flooded basement and a lot of damage! Prevent these problems entirely by calling Perma-Seal to come out and check on your discharge line to make sure it’s working like it should. You should also be sure that snow is shoveled away from your foundation and basement windows.
Also, it is not advised that you pour hot water down your gutters or downspouts to melt the snow – this will likely do more harm than good!
Visit the news link to learn more: https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/02/15/melting-snow-could-pose-flooding-risk/