We know that it’s coming every year, yet, for some reason, we fail to prepare for it. The vast majority of Seattle’s precipitation falls between October and March, an average of 26.31 inches during these months annually, leaving many homes prone to flooded homes, yards, and particularly, basements.
The main issue occurs when a great deal of rain falls in a short period of time. For the most part, King County homes are equipped with basic flood prevention designs, since we get so much annual precipitation. Problems arise, however, when we have a storm that the system is unable to handle.
Luckily, by taking a few precautions before a significant storm hits, you can limit the damage that is done to your property should your area be hit particularly hard. As with anything in Seattle, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. That way, you won’t be stuck having to call in an emergency plumbing contractor when your basement starts to flood or having to completely redo your basement after it is turned into a swimming pool.
Check Your Home
Start by checking the various aspects of your home that are designed to prevent flooding in the first place. For example, your gutters have been installed with the purpose of helping water that lands on your roof to flow away from your home and into an area that is safer. If your gutters are clogged, however, this cannot occur. This is where many people get into trouble, as they end up with pools of water on their property that eventually make their way into the basement.
In areas with frequent precipitation, such as Seattle, you might want to have your gutters and downspouts running into a drain. If you do this, however, you’ll also want to have a plumber check your drains every year to ensure that they are not clogged and that they can handle the output that the drainage system is putting on them. A simple drain cleaning could prevent a great deal of damage in this situation because if this water is unable to run down your drains properly, it could lead to significant flooding.
In addition, you might consider having the walls in your basement sealed, especially if they are showing signs of seepage. Check for moisture on your basement walls and under the doors after every rainfall. If you find moisture, bring in a professional. This is a relatively simple procedure to have done on your home that could end up saving you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in repairs later on.
Install Sump Pumps
In many cases, your best bet will be to have a sump pump installed in your home. These pumps are usually placed in your basement or crawl space and are used to remove water from the area around your home. Sump pump systems collect water in a basin and come with a drainage method that diverts water from the home after it reaches a certain level.
Keep in mind that severe storms can overwhelm a sump pump system, which is why many homeowners have a couple of them installed in their homes. Get in touch with someone who offers these types of plumbing services in King County to figure out if installing sump pumps on your property would be beneficial.
Elevate Everything
You might want to start by taking anything that you don’t want to get wet off the ground in your basement. This can include things like washers, dryers, electric panels, and water heaters. You can use concrete blocks or treated wood to elevate these items, which can prevent water damage from occurring should your basement flood.
