Use These Tips to Prevent Leaky Basements

6/2/2005

Guess what prompts many of the lawsuits surrounding the sale of a home?

Leaky basements.

Today, then, I'm going to give you several tips for preventing leaks in your own basement.

First, if your basement leaks, check your gutters and downspouts for blockages. Train a hose into each downspout in turn and run water through to make sure it's draining properly. Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts twice a year. Late-fall cleanings are especially important to clear leaves that have dropped into your gutters from nearby trees.

A second tip regarding downspouts: You might want to extend them farther away from your foundation by using flexible vinyl tubing. In that way, downspouts carry water to a place where it doesn't threaten your basement.

Also check the outside of your foundation for low-spots. Soil around your foundation should be built up so it slopes away from the foundation. Fill in any low pouts with extra topsoil.

Finally, make sure the trees and other landscaping near your house aren't growing too close to your foundation. Tree roots, especially, can cause cracks in the foundation that allow water to seep into your basement. Consider removing trees that have grown too close to your house.

Whether you re considering buying or selling a home, talk to a REALTOR with your local Toledo Board of REALTORS to learn about other potential problems with your home. REALTORS are the experts at making a home marketable and liveable.