One thing’s for sure: you don’t want water leaking into your basement from the ground above. Yet in Western New York all too many homes suffer from leaky foundations and flooded basements– not cool.
Ivy Lea Construction recommends you do several things to help keep water out of your Buffalo-area basement. For starters, consider the soil that’s near your basement walls. The ground should be sloped downward from the house so that water wants to literally run down that slope and away from the house. Also, remember that trees and bushes love to suck up water through their roots, so you should have them more than 3 feet from your home’s walls so their roots don’t interfere with your foundation, while they’re still close enough to draw water to them instead of the water ending up in your basement.
Of course you should also check to make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris and in good working order, such that they’re helping send water away from the house. If needed, you can always dig a trench or create a shallow valley to help funnel water away from problem spots near your home where water wants to accumulate.
Ivy Lea Construction can redo sidewalks or porches that are poorly sloped or loose to the foundation. After breaking up old concrete and digging deeper than the previous setting, Ivy Lea’s workers can add gravel for drainage purposes and adjust the overall slope to redirect water away from your home’s foundation. A watertight expansion joint can be placed between the new concrete and your foundation wall, too.
If needed, a perimeter/block drain system and/or sump pump can also help keep your basement dry.
Call Ivy Lea Construction at 716-875-8654 to ask about having a free estimate to see what can be done to help prevent a wet basement at your home or property.
