NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — When waters rise and flow like streams through neighborhoods, it's almost inevitable that some of that water will make it into a house, and when the ground is as saturated as it is now with a forecast of rain for days, it's sure to be a busy time for foundation and waterproofing experts.
“I imagine we’re going to get a lot of phone calls,” Dustin Gebers, general manager of Frontier Basement Systems, said.
Frontier Basement Systems waterproofs about one thousand homes every year, keeping water from entering into basements and potentially ruining all of the items in there.
While the issue happens on the inside, it all starts on the outside.
“Water logging around a foundation is never a good thing,” Gebers explained. “Water inside of a basement, whether it be finished or unfinished is never a good sign, that means something has failed.”
While drains, pipes, and pumps can be installed, there are steps that you can take to help keep the water away from your home in the first place.
“It’s all about water management. So it’s about directing water away from the foundation, making sure that your downspouts are extended away. 10, 15-feet away from the foundation so that water from the roofline can get out and get away,” Gebers said, adding that you should make sure your gutters are cleaned so they can work properly.
Beyond surface water, water does travel through the ground, so even if it's regulated well at the surface, there's still the chance for water to enter your home through walls.
That's when experts need to be called in, otherwise, mold and mildew can form, and your belongings could be ruined.
Ponding water can also cause issues with the foundation, which can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
