Spring has
finally arrived and with it comes April showers and turbulent weather. For those of you that have a basement, here
are a few tips to follow to avoid a water issue in your basement:
· Make sure that the drains in your
window wells are clean and free from debris.
The drain funnels water away from the actual window and into your drain
tile system that feeds to your sump pit.
Without a clear drain, water can collect against the window and,
ultimately, make its way directly through the opening as a result of the force.
· Check your sump pit and sump pump to
insure that it’s working properly.
Debris can sometimes get into the pit and affect the mechanics of the
pump. Keep the sump pit areas clean.
· Have your sump pump(s) checked
periodically (Every couple of years), especially when it operates often. Most professional plumbers will tell you that
there is no printed life expectancy on a sump pump and they typically reveal
their life expectancy when they stop running.
Replacing a pump that operates normally should be considered every two
to three years. That way, you don’t have
to learn the hard way!
· Consider a back-up generator system
for the pumps and refrigeration systems in your home. Generators come in all sizes and can be
installed to replace your entire home’s load or just some of the load when the
power is cut off. At a minimum, make
sure you have a back-up battery for the pump, in the absence of a back-up
generator. And remember, battery back-up
systems don’t operate for long periods of time.
You’ll typically only get a couple of hours of power from a
battery. After that, if the power
remains off, the water keeps coming.
· Keep gutters and downspouts clear of
debris so that water flowing on the roof makes it way to the designated
areas. Clogged gutters can create water
fall conditions at the edge of the home, leading to a higher load on your sump
pump and excess erosion close to your foundation.
While the
weather warms up and the winter blues fade, make sure that you’re prepared for
the wet Spring weather.
About
Hipskind Seyfarth Risk Solutions
Hipskind
Seyfarth Risk Solutions offers a wide-range of insurance products for
individuals and businesses of all sizes. HS Risk Solutions, located in Chicago,
provides expertise in the area of health and ancillary benefits and property
and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals. For more information,
visit HS Risk Solutions website at www.hsrisksolutions.com or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HSRiskSolutions.
