Most of us are looking forward to the snow melting away and the warm weather returning. But all that melted snow has to go somewhere, and if your home isn’t secure, it could go straight into your basement. The winter-to-spring transition is a common time for basement flooding to occur.

The last thing you want is to be unable to enjoy the fresh spring weather because you’re in your basement with a shop-vac, trying to get the water off your floor.

The good news is, you still have time to act. Keep your basement protected from the melting snow with a few simple steps.

Moving Snow Away from Your Home

Before you perform any updates on your home, one simple precaution you can take is moving snow away from the base of your home. Simply go around with a shovel and move the snow away from your foundation. This will go a long way in keeping your basement dry when the snow melts.

Checking for Cracks

If water is getting into your basement, it has to be coming in from somewhere. Often, it’s places you can’t see, such as underground walls, behind drywall, etc. But it’s always good to check the areas you can see. Inspect the foundation around the outside, as well as interior cement or masonry walls. If there are cracks or holes, get them patched over.

Once you’ve done that, you can take things one step further…

Waterproof Concrete/Masonry Painting

Concrete, brick, and stone are porous by nature, absorbing moisture. To combat this, add a coating of waterproof paint on any interior concrete or masonry walls.

Add a Sump Pump or Drainage System

If you’ve checked your foundation, moved the snow away, made sure your gutters are in place, and added waterproof painting, and you’re still finding yourself with water in your basement, you may need to bring in some extra power.

A sump pump sucks up excess water from the surrounding area and pumps it away from your home. A drainage system works similarly, redirecting water from your basement. It can be some extra work to setup, and you’ll need to make a path for the drainage in your floor, but it’s highly effective.

Sealing Your Basement Floors

Carpet has long been a popular choice for basement flooring, but all it takes is the smallest bit flooding to ruin it. Tearing up wet, moldy carpet is something no one wants to do. Even if you think you’re safe from flooding, it never hurts to prepare for the worst.

That’s why a sealed concrete floor is a great choice for any basement. Not only is it water resistant and easy to clean, but with a little stain and style, it can be made into something truly unique and beautiful. Best of all, it’s very affordable.

Don’t let a little water leakage ruin your basement. Get your concrete sealed and stay dry all year round. For concrete sealing in Ohio, contact Select Flooring today!