By mid-March the deep freeze is finally receding in most parts of the nation. This means the snow melt is happening at the same time that early spring rainfall begins. Storm drains and roadside ditches are flowing with water leading to swollen creeks, rivers and lakes. And in some cases, that extra water ends up flowing into homes and businesses causing havoc.

To avoid problems, just consider the path that water might take to find its way into your home. Is it coming through the sewer and drain system or through the walls and floor? Basements are the most susceptible areas for flooding because they are below ground level. Many older basements aren’t equipped with sump pumps to drain away excess ground water so it seems up through floors and through walls. You can seal wall seams all you want but if the ground is saturated on the outside of your basement walls, it will find its way into even the smallest cracks via hydrostatic pressure. If this is the problem you’re experiencing, the only sure fire way to prevent this problem from happening again is to have a sump system installed. We see many families that just accept the fact that water is going to get into their homes every spring. But they don’t have to live with the problem, they just have to face it realistically.

Another source of flood water is from clogged drains, especially floor drains. You’ll find them in basements, on patios, older garages and sometimes in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Test these drains by pouring several gallons of water through them, or hook up a hose and let it drain into the floor drain. If the drain doesn’t move water away quickly and seeps to be working slowly, you have a partial clog and it could result in standing water around the floor drain. Run an auger snake through the pipe to clear away the obstructions.

Be sure to check roof gutters and downspouts. Make sure they aren’t filled with debris that will inhibit their ability to move water away from your home quickly. Try running a hose from the gutter into your downspouts. If it doesn’t flow through quickly, water could easily back up and cause damage to your roof. It can also force water into your home that can cause wood to rot.

Yard culverts and storm drains near your house should be inspected. Make sure the grates aren’t obstructed by debris that could allow water to back up onto your property and even into your home. If you need help on the plumbing side, Roto-Rooter can help. If your property has sustained water damage, Roto-Rooter’s water damage restoration team can get your life and property back to normal in no time.

3 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BASEMENT DRY

While a heavy rainfall is great for nourishing your garden, it's not so great if water starts seeping into your basement and could potentially cause significant water damage. Water soaking into your home’s foundation can be disastrous and annoying. Doing a few odd ball precautionary tasks can greatly deter your chances of a flooded basement.

Here are three preventative measures to keep your home dry from the bottom up.

SEAL THE CRACKS

Cracks or holes in both the floors and walls of your basement are major sources for leaks that cause water damage. Fractures occur in three situations: if the house starts to settle, if too much water pressure is coming in from the outside or if your home was poorly constructed. Poke around your basement and check for any cracks. To control the leaks, seal the cracks and holes up with a waterproof mixture or something stronger like a cement coating and this will help prevent a flooded basement.

PRESERVE YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR

To prevent water damage, it's important to keep tabs on every inch of your home, including the outside perimeter. Oftentimes, a basement leak originates from the outside and makes its way in. For starters, check your gutters and downspouts to rid them of any debris such as leaves or sticks. If your gutters become clogged, there is no escape route for the rain. The foundation becomes surrounded by pools of water, which then seep through any cracks and windows wells and trickle into your basement. Additionally, be sure your downspouts are directed away from your house or you may end up with a flooded basement.

CHECK THE SEWER PIPE

Once you have checked for cracks and holes on both the inside and outside of your home, and something still seems off, chances are the leak is hidden, meaning you could expect to find a cracked sewer pipe. This type of leak typically appears when the drain is carrying wastewater. Signs to look out for are a slow drain, a gas odor, and stains or mold on basement walls and ceilings.

If you have a flooded basement and are looking for a water damage restoration service, contact your local Roto-Rooter professional today.

5 WAYS TO PREVENT BASEMENT FLOODING

A flooded basement is a homeowner's worst nightmare. When it happens, your old pictures, the spare chest of drawers, your children's clothes – it could all be in jeopardy. It's especially important to watch out for basement floods if you live in certain flood-prone areas of the U.S., like the upper Midwest, but it can't hurt to make sure you're prepared no matter where you live.

Check out these five tips for preventing basement flooding.

1. CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS

Floor drains, which help prevent flooding and other forms of water damage, can become clogged with dirt and other detritus. This can obstruct the pipes for when water does get into your basement, leading to buildup that can cause flooding. Keep the drains free of debris and there's a better chance your basement won't flood.

2. CHECK YOUR GUTTERS

This may sound like a strange suggestion – but it's important to make sure your gutters are unobstructed so that any water that comes in doesn't collect. If your gutters are full of leaves or dirt, water has to go somewhere – usually down. If the rain dumps in buckets around your house instead of being diverted via the gutters, too much water could filter into the foundation of your home.

3. DIVERT RAINWATER

Along the same lines as checking your gutters, you should find ways to divert rainwater away from your home wherever possible. Extend your rain gutter downspouts and make sure your yard doesn't slope toward the house.

4. INSTALL A SUMP PUMP

This is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your basement stays clean and dry throughout the rainy season. These devices – as their name suggests – help pump out water that might accumulate, and there are quite a few options to choose from. Your local plumbing professional can come to your house to survey and help you determine what kind you need.

5. HAVE A BACKUP POWER SOURCE

When it's storming, you want to make sure that your sump pump is connected to a backup generator in case the electricity in your home goes out. You don't want your sump to fail, especially in those circumstances!

For more information about how to keep your basement clean, with help installing your sump pump and to consult a professional in case of the unthinkable, call Roto-Rooter today.

HOME FLOODING MITIGATION

When home flooding occurs, the damage can be extensive and expensive. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help with flood mitigation. Watch as our team of experts show you how to prevent flooding in your home, basement and yard. Many flood prevention tasks, like testing your sump pump, can be handled by experienced DIY-ers, but if you're unsure about the best approach or aren't confident that you have the skills needed to complete the job, we're here to help. Call 1-800-768-6911 for an appointment today.

[VIDEO TRANSCRIPT] When flooding occurs inside a home, the damage can be disruptive, long-lasting, and expensive. Home floods may be caused by heavy seasonal rainfall, sewer backups, broken water pipes, toilets, and bathtubs overflowing and appliance failure. At Roto-Rooter, we see the damage caused by water every day and we would like to provide you with some helpful tips that can prevent many flooding scenarios, or at least minimize the damage flooding causes to your home and possessions. You can prepare your home for heavy rainfall by inspecting gutters and downspouts. They should always be clear of debris and obstruction so that storm water can quickly drain away from the home and its foundation. Ideally, your yard should slope slightly downhill and away from the foundation. If water runoff tends to collect there, it may be helpful to add extensions to your downspouts so that water can be channeled even further away. If your home has a basement, it probably has a sump pump installed in the lowest corner. If the pump is working properly it will collect groundwater in a pit below the basement floor. When the pit begins to fill, a float switch triggers the sump pump to turn itself on, then pump the water out to a city storm sewer or the nearest drainage ditch. To ensure your sump pump is working, test it by pouring a few buckets of water into the pit. Make sure the pump turns on, empties most of the water from the pit, and then turns itself off again. You'll notice that some pumps require electricity to operate. That means if a storm knocks out power to your home, the sump pump can no longer do its job. But, your Roto-Rooter plumber can install a battery backup system or a Venturi water-powered pump that will continue to pump away storm water and prevent flooding. Many people are surprised to learn that appliance failure is the leading cause of household flooding. When washing machine hoses fail or burst, they can unleash up to 650 gallons of water per hour. Inspect them regularly for stress cracks, bulges or other signs of wear. Replace rubber hoses every three years. Be sure to replace them with high quality, stainless steel braided hoses, which should last five to seven years. Most people leave the washing machine water supply valves turned on all the time but you'll greatly reduce your risk of flooding if you turn off the valves when the washer is not in use. Next, it's a good idea to inspect the water lines connected to your refrigerator's icemaker and the water supply and drain hoses connected to your dishwasher, water softener, and any other visible water connections to appliances. If hoses and crimped, pinched, or show signs of wear, they should be replaced with the highest quality replacement parts available. A water heater like this one has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. When the tank rusts out, the resulting leak could be a trickle or it could be a rush of water that spreads out across your floors. Flood alarms like this one will alert you as soon as they detect water. They're inexpensive and reliable, but they're only effective if you're home and you can hear them. If you're away, say on vacation, the resulting flood could be continuous and catastrophic. Your Roto-Rooter plumber can install automatic water detection and shut-off valves that will stop water from flowing into appliances at the first sign of a water leak and they'll sound an audible alarm to let you know if there is trouble. Homeowners with some do-it-yourself skills should be able to handle many flood prevention tasks on their own, but it's important to be careful and recognize when you're in over your head. Roto-Rooter has experienced plumbers ready to help whenever you need us. [Roto-Rooter jingle]

HOW DO WE PREVENT A SEWAGE SPILL AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE IN OUR HOME?

Heavy storms, sewer blockages, and sewer pipe or septic tank failure can all cause sewage to back up into your home. In addition to the foul odor that comes with a sewage spill, property damage and unsanitary living conditions can occur. Therefore, it is crucial to clean up a sewage spill immediately.

If you have an outdoor sewage spill around your home, you must stop sewage from surfacing by eliminating water flow to into the sewer system. It is also important to repair the plumbing or sewage disposal system to prevent further failure. A clogged sewer pipe due to grease and other materials, or a damaged sewer pipeline due to tree root intrusion, misaligned pipe sections or other structural problems can lead to major sewage backups and spills.

Roto-Rooter water damage restoration technicians and Roto-Rooter plumbers are fully trained in the use of state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to solve all of your plumbing, sewer & drain or water cleanup problems.

HOW SHOULD WE BEGIN THE CLEANUP PROCESS AFTER A SEWAGE SPILL?

When you have a sewage backup in your home, that sewage contains bacteria, fecal matter, viruses and other microorganisms that can cause serious illness. Home sewage cleanup should begin right away. It is important that the affected area be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent illness or further property damage.

1. Keep children and pets out of the sewage contaminated area until it is properly cleaned and disinfected.
2. Wear protective clothing, rubber gloves and rubber boots while working in contaminated areas.
3. Avoid skin contact with sewage and wash hands frequently.
4. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces, such as linoleum, hardwood floors, wood and metal furniture. If wall-to-wall carpeting has been saturated with contaminated water, it is best to pull it up and get rid of it.
5. Upholstered furniture may not be salvageable once it has come into contact with sewage contaminated water.
6. Loose rugs, drapes, etc. should be professionally cleaned and disinfected.
7. Clean and disinfect sinks, tubs, showers and other plumbing fixtures that have experienced sewage backup.
8. Prevent mold growth by ensuring that all surfaces, furniture and affected areas have been completely dried and disinfected.

AVOID FLOODWATER DAMAGE

How do you avoid damage from spring floodwaters? Follow expert advice from an experienced Roto-Rooter professional who has been in the plumbing / water restoration business for over 40 years. He offered TV viewers in Cincinnati some helpful tips in this interview with Fox 19 TV.

2 WAYS TO PREVENT A FLOODED BASEMENT

Flooding is not only costly to homeowners but can also cause significant damage to your home’s construction, not to mention the potentially unhealthy environment water damage can cause. The plumbing professionals at Roto-Rooter offer these simple tips to help you to stay flood-free and avoid a potential plumbing emergency. Follow these helpful steps to prevent a flooded basement:

1. SUMP PUMP MAINTENANCE

Your home’s sump pump is a key component in the event of a water emergency and flooded basement situation. Sump pumps are often located in basements and crawlspaces. This crucial piece of equipment pumps water away from your basement and into nearby storm drains. Routine testing of your sump pump will ensure that it is in working order in the event of a water emergency.

This simple at-home DIY test can easily let you know if your sump pump is working properly:

Pour a full five gallon bucket of water into the sump pit. The water will activate the pump which will move it through the pump, up through a vertical pipe and away from your basement. If the water does not activate the sump pump, call one of our trained plumbing professionals at Roto-Rooter to assess the situation and to determine whether a repair or replacement is in order.

2. GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

The exterior of your home is just as important when taking preventative steps to avoid a flooded basement. The gutters and downspouts outside your home direct rainwater and melting snow away from the foundation of your home and basement. Keeping your gutters clean and clear of leaves and debris will ensure that there is nothing blocking the water flow. Annual cleaning of your downspouts will keep your home looking its very best while helping to ward off potential flooding situations.

CALL IN THE PLUMBING PROFESSIONALS

For more helpful tips on home flood prevention, contact your local Roto-Rooter plumbing professional. Whether your sump pump needs service or you have additional questions regarding keeping your home plumbing and equipment working at peak performance, the plumbing experts at Roto-Rooter are equipped to handle all of your residential plumbing needs.

SPRING FLOODING PREVENTION TIPS

Heavy storms can cause your yard and your home to flood and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Watch as we give you tried-and-true flood prevention tips that can help keep your home dry and your family safe. Among our most important spring flooding prevention tips is to install a sump pump, and test it annually. If you don't currently have a sump pump, but think you may need one or would like a custom waterproofing plan for your home call our team of professionals at 1-800-768-6911. We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[VIDEO TRANSCRIPT] Winter ground thaw and spring showers are now ushering in the flood season. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service warns that heavy and unpredictable thunderstorms can overwhelm combined city sewer systems, causing sewage and storm water to back up into homes like yours, especially those with basements and crawlspaces. Every year homeowners find out the hard way that their sump pumps have stopped working, leaving them with water-damaged keepsakes and expensive damage. Test your sump pump by pouring a large bucket of water right into the pit. If the pump won't operate, call Roto-Rooter right away. Or if there's more than one slow drain in the house, tree roots may be clogging your sewer. Call Roto-Rooter to clear those clogs now. [Roto-Rooter jingle]

HOW TO PREVENT FLOODING AROUND YOUR HOUSE

During a heavy rain storm, one of your first priorities is taking steps to prevent any flooding that may occur. With that in mind, take a look at these few ways to protect your home from flooding:

CONSIDER A SUMP PUMP

When you live in a rainy area, you know that floods happen - if you have a basement, it may have flooded before and it will likely do so again. That's why a sump pump is such a great investment. Sump pumps can be installed at the lowest point of your basement - they turn on automatically when they're filled with water, and they discharge the water through a system of drains and away from your home. If you don't already have a sump pump, now's the time to consider it. If you want, you can find portable sump pumps that don't need any drastic installation and work just as effectively as permanent models.

CLEAN OUT YOUR DOWNSPOUTS AND STORM DRAINS

One of the most common causes of flooding is a backup in storm drains or downspouts that causes water to pool around your home's foundation, rather than drain away. Before the rainy season, make an effort to clean out all of your gutters, downspouts and outdoor drains, and make sure they're all working properly to direct any water where it should go.

FIX LEAKS AND CLOGS RIGHT AWAY

Leaks and clogs within your sewer system won't just fix themselves, as much as you may wish they would. If any of the fixtures in your home drain slowly or you notice your water bill skyrocketing, figure out the source of the issue and get it fixed. Remember that your local Roto-Rooter professionals are happy to investigate a potential leak or clog and repair it for you.

CHECK YOUR ROOF AND FOUNDATION

If your roof or your home's foundation isn't in good shape, you could be more susceptible to flooding. Have a professional reinforce a cracked or crumbling foundation and replace missing shingles on your roof. Take the time to do these jobs well now so your home remains in good shape in the long term.

PREVENT LEAKS IN YOUR BASEMENT

Rain's downside is about a lot more than ruining any chances of outdoor fun. Large amounts of rainfall can accumulate in your basement, which can be absolutely disastrous.

Fixing a flooded basement takes a lot of work, and you're better off just avoiding such an event altogether. So, what can you do to prevent a leaky basement?

ARE YOUR GUTTERS DOING THEIR JOB?

One of the last aspects people consider when purchasing a home is the gutters. Buyers often take these structures for granted, completely forgetting to check if they're properly constructed. If your home doesn't have the correct number of downspouts, water might be dripping off your roof and seeping into your basement and foundation.

If you can't upgrade, or simply want to mitigate the risks of a wet basement, cleaning your gutters should be a constant responsibility in your life. When these structures are clogged, water trickles over them and into the ground surrounding your home. This can eventually lead to leaks, which can end up costing you a lot of money.

YOUR PIPES MAY BE THE PROBLEM

If your gutters are working properly and you're still finding leaks in your basement, the problem might be originating from within your home. Cold pipes react to heat by condensation, which causes water to drip all over the place. This may make you think that the pipe itself has a crack, but it's actually the water in the air that ends up on your floor.

Thankfully, there's an easy way to solve this. All you have to do is purchase some foam insulation and wrap up the troublemakers. These handy little products are inexpensive, and they'll last you a lifetime.

That said, sometimes pipes do end up leaking due to age or poor installation. If this is the case, make sure to contact a Roto-Rooter expert and set up a professional consultation. Broken pipes will only get worse, and you need someone with years of experience to ensure the job gets done right.

WHY DOES MY BASEMENT KEEP FLOODING?

Cleaning up a flooded basement once is one time too many. It’s time consuming and costly. But what happens if you’re faced with a second or third flood?

If you clean up the water damage without ever addressing the root cause of the flood, you’ll set yourself up for recurring floods. The key to preventing future basement flooding is to address the root cause and perform preventive maintenance. Many of the steps below can also be taken before you ever experience a flood.

If you’ve already experienced a basement flood, check out Roto-Rooter’s step-by-step guide to water removal and restoration. After your basement has fully dried, take the time to go through the following maintenance steps before you replace carpets, furniture and belongings.

Indoors

1. Check basement floor drains regularly

Floor drains, which help prevent flooding and other forms of water damage, can become clogged with dirt and other detritus. This can obstruct the pipes and prevent drainage whenever water does get into your basement, leading to flooding. Keep the drains free of debris and there's a better chance your basement won't flood.

2. Install a sump pump

This is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your basement stays clean and dry throughout the rainy season. Sump pumps move groundwater away from the house’s foundation by channeling it into a sump pit before pumping it out to a storm drain. Your local Roto-Rooter professional can come to your house to survey and help you determine what kind you need.

But remember, a sump pump is only as good as its power source. If a raging storm knocks out power, your sump pump won’t do you any good. Make sure your sump pump is connected to a battery powered backup sump pump in case of unexpected power outages.

Outdoors

1. Make sure roof gutters are clear

Just as sump pumps are intended to move groundwater away from the house, your gutters are intended to move excess rainwater away from the home to avoid oversaturating groundwater. If leaves, dirt or other debris block up your gutters and downspouts, water will collect and spill over the edges. If your home is surrounded by lots of trees, gutter screens or guards can be particularly helpful in preventing leaves from piling up and causing blockages. Worse, during winter the wet leaves can freeze and create a heavy ice dam that blocks flow and can cause gutters to pull away from your roof.

2. Extend your downspouts

Gutter downspouts should drain at least six feet away from the home. Ten or twelve feet is even better. Extensions or troughs can be easily obtained at your local hardware store.

3. Cover basement window wells

If your basement has below-grade windows, install covers to prevent water accumulation. Clear acrylic covers are inexpensive and will still allow light to enter the basement, while keeping out water, debris and pests.

All around

Routinely inspect your foundation, basement floor and walls for cracks. If you find any, seal cracks with epoxy immediately.

If you’ve taken all these steps and are still having problems with basement flooding, it’s time to call your local Roto-Rooter professional. You can rely on our leak repair professionals to locate any plumbing-related leaks or sump system problems. Some leaks, like a dripping faucet, usually don’t require immediate service, but water pouring into your basement from a broken water line or cracked water heater is an emergency. Roto-Rooter offers immediate service for just those types of emergencies.

Roto-Rooter plumbers are leak repair experts! Our licensed plumbing professional will get to the source of the problem quickly. A basement plumbing leak repair is routine for a trained plumber. Call Roto-Rooter at 800-768-6911 for any basement plumbing services you require.

WATER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

When a water device breaks, it can cause major damage in a very short time. To prevent major plumbing repairs every member of the household should be comfortable with water emergency response.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

The first step to preventing major water damage is to create and implement an emergency preparedness plan. Gather all members of the family together for a meeting. Take a tour of the house and identify different areas where water can break through and places where you can turn off the water. If you have small children, you may want to role play different scenarios and have them practice actually turning on and off the water valves.

LOCATE THE WATER MAIN VALVES

Generally there are two water valves you can turn off to halt the flow of water in your house.

1. Inside Main Valve: The inside main valve is usually located in the basement or near a wall where the water line enters the house. Typically it is equipped with either a gate valve or a ball valve. The gate valve is shaped like a wheel and is operated by turning the wheel clockwise until the water is off. A ball valve is a lever that you turn clockwise for a quarter of a turn to turn off the water. When the ball valve lever is parallel with the pipes, the water is on and when it is perpendicular to the pipes, the water is off. Keep in mind that many slab foundation homes are not equipped with an inside water main valve. For those homes, the outside main valve is the default water shut-off valve.

2. Outside Main Line: The outside main line is the city meter and is usually located near the street or curb. It is beneath the ground in a cement casing and covered by a heavy metal lid. To turn off the valve, you will need a water key. The specific type of water key will depend on the type of valve you have. If the valve has a tab on the top, you will need a key that has a two-pronged fork on the end. If it has a square nut, you will need a key that is similar to a lug wrench. To turn off the water, turn it clockwise until it stops."

INDIVIDUAL APPLIANCES

All appliances that use water have their own shut off valves. If possible, this is the best way to deprive the area of water. For instance, you can turn off the shower valve while you wait for the Roto Rooter repairman to come and make the plumbing repairs in your home. While you are waiting for it to be fixed, the rest of the house can still have water.