For as pretty as it can be, snow can also be a quiet source of pressure for many Red Oak homeowners. The white stuff piles up in our yards and on our walkways, poses a freezing hazard to our outdoor plumbing, and can lead to a lot of water damage to the foundations, walls, and floors of our homes.

Don’t let that winter snow turn into mold, mildew, and structural damage for your home. Here are three ways to protect your basement from the effects of melting snow:

1.) Inspect Your Sump Pump

Making sure your sump pump is in prime working condition is the single most important thing you can do to make sure that your basement stays safe from snowmelt. Sump pumps are great for dealing with ground water, meaning both the unexpected floods and the usual small amounts of moisture that gather in the lowest level of your home.

Once your sump pump in place, it works by pooling ground water into a shallow pit, known as a sump basin. When enough water is gathered, the pump is triggered by a float switch; the system then pushes the unwanted water out and away from your house via a discharge pipe, which may flow into your lawn, into a dry well, or even directly to the municipal storm sewer. It’s important to have your sump pump inspected and serviced at least once a year, so that it doesn’t fail you in your time of need!

2.) Repair Any Cracks in Your Walls

While we’re more experienced with plumbing than waterproofing, even we know the importance of making sure that your home’s foundation is free of cracks, ridges, and holes. You can take epoxy putty and seal up visible cracks for a quick, DIY solution, or bring on an expert to make sure that your walls are professionally sealed.

3.) Watch the Area Around Your Foundation

Keeping the area around your foundation clear is one of the easiest ways to prevent melting water from trickling into your basement. While you’re out shoveling your porch and your walkway, also turn your attention to the five-foot area around your home’s foundation, where piled-up snow can easily melt down into your basement or crawlspace.

While you’re at it, keep a close eye on your gutters, making sure that they’re obstruction-free and tightly attached to your fascia; a gutter in disrepair can send snow, ice, and water down to ground level, where they strike with enough force to cause erosion, which ultimately leads to even more opportunities for water to seep downward.

Have any other plumbing maintenance questions? Looking to audit or fine-tune the plumbing system in your Red Oak home this winter? Combat plumbing is here to help! For questions or to set up a service appointment, drop us a line, day or night.