Flooded basements are an unfortunately frequent occurrence for homeowners in many parts of the country. Basements can flood when water seeps into a leaky foundation or it can back up from storm sewers during unusually heavy rainfalls. With climate change making the weather more unpredictable, and drainage infrastructure aging in our cities wet basements are becoming a problem for everyone – even if it has never happened in your home.
A Soggy Mess
Regardless of the source of the water, a flooded basement is a costly mess to clean up with damage to flooring, walls, and equipment like your furnace or a storage freezer. Not to mention all of the precious belongings that you store in your basement (that’s why you’re keeping them, right?) Your homeowner’s insurance should cover the cost of replacing the floor and walls, as well as replacing equipment and items damaged in the flood. However, making a claim is likely going to result in your premiums increasing. As we all make more claims the cost of insuring our houses will increase for all of us. In the worst-case scenario, insurance companies can stop covering homeowners for flood damage altogether.
You Can Help Prevent a Wet Basement
Since cases of wet basements are on the rise, many cities are encouraging homeowners to take measures to prevent flooding before it happens with some simple things that you can do to reduce the risk to your home. It’s worthwhile doing them even if your basement has never flooded before. There’s always a chance it can happen, especially as the weather becomes more volatile.
- Seal cracks in walls, floors, windows, and foundations with an appropriate waterproofing sealant.
- Seal all window wells, which can collect rain and snow
- Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves that block downspouts and cause water to flow over the edges onto the ground near the foundation walls.
- Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system, where feasible. Many municipalities are making this mandatory.
- Make sure your disconnected downspouts are draining properly, ideally at least 6 feet from your foundation’s walls.
- Ensure the grading around your home slopes away from the foundation walls to help drain water away.
- Increase the green space around your home with native plants and shrubs to help absorb rainwater and melted snow.
- Repair or replace damaged weeping tile systems.
- Clear debris from roadside catchbasins near your home to prevent water from pooling.
With a little bit of maintenance around your home, you can do your part to help keep home insurance costs down. Not only will you prevent your basement from flooding, but you’ll avoid the awful chore of having to dry out and clean up a big wet mess.
Talk to E&Y Insurance and Tax Agents about home insurance to protect you from the costs associated with a flooded basement. We are dedicated to providing our clients with helpful insurance advice as well as expert income tax preparation services. Regardless of how simple or complex your situation, call us at (248) 817-8071 or fill out the form below to talk about tax assistance, income tax preparation, home, and auto insurance needs.
