| Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure water from the downspouts is directed away from your foundation. Watering flowers and shrubbery around the foundation too often can saturate the soil. Standing rain water can then seep into the basement.
A raised lip around stair wells and basement window wells can prevent water from flowing in.
Seal cracks between concrete slabs and your home's foundation.
Test your sump pump before a storm comes.
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Do not drain water inside the basement until most of the water on the outside of the walls has gone down. This will prevent the walls from being pushed in or the floors from heaving.
Start drying the basement as quickly as possible in order to minimize wood decay or growth of mold.
Open all doors and windows to allow the moisture to flow outside.
SOURCES: Lowe's Home Improvement, local businesses, www.waterproofing.org, National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors
copyright The Roanoke Times
September 16, 2004
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Driveway Cut
