Now with the mild spring temperatures upon us, you may be thinking ahead to summer which doesn’t seem so far away anymore. With the weather being so nice, this is a great opportunity to take some time to run a perimeter check around your house to see if there are potential water leak issues. Summer storms can exhibit high precipitation which could result in basement leaks and damage to your foundation wall in basements not adequately protected. Being proactive by waterproofing your property will help prevent basement water leaks before they happen. Here are some checklist items you can conduct this spring to help uncover potential spots for basement leaks.
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Basement windows can be a common cause of basement leaks. Damaged caulking and cracks in the window frame can be a source of water entering your basement. In the case of window wells, if you notice pooling water after it rains, this is an indicator of improper drainage. By waterproofing your basement windows, you can prevent your window wells from getting clogged up by ensuring that rainwater is channeled away from your foundation.
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Clogged or broken eavestroughs and downspouts can create pooling water right up against your home’s foundation. Left untreated, water will begin to deteriorate your foundation forming cracks which will eventually enter your basement. Waterproofing your home involves addressing these clogged and malfunctioning water drainage systems so that water is directed away from your foundation to avoid water problems.
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If you have a swimming pool in your backyard or an underground sprinkler system, be sure to check them to make sure they are not leaking water. Even a small leak in a pool pump or hose can completely saturate the soil in your yard creating a significant risk of damaging your home’s foundation. If you live in an area where property lots are close together, saturated soil could also be indicative of leak in your neighbors pool pump or underground hose. Basement waterproofing professionals will examine all potential sources of water.
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Many basement leaks can be avoided by being proactive. If this is your first summer at your property, you’ll want to conduct the checks listed above before deciding which if any basement [waterproofing](https://www.citywidegroup.com/waterproofing/why-waterproofing) needs to be done this year. Toronto and the surrounding area is known of torrential downpours during the summer months which is why spending some time now to examine all potential water entry sources can help you avoid basement leaks down the road.
