Maintenance Tips
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your concrete basement and flatwork.
- Seal your garage floors. Your vehicles pick up salt and other chemicals during the winter months. Salt and other de-icing chemicals will wreak havoc on your concrete if left unprotected.
- Keep your garage floors clean. As noted above, salt and other chemicals will damage concrete. Don't let these damaging substances sit on your concrete for extended periods of time.
- Run a dehumidifier in your basement. Even if you don't have a moisture problem, a dehumidifier is a smart choice for all basements.
- Make sure your sump pump works. Every 6 months, pull up on the float and make sure it runs. Be sure that the discharge from the sump is sending water away from the house. There does not need to be water in the crock in order for the sump pump to run.
- Keep a close eye on your exterior grade level. To keep your basement dry, keep soils 8" down from the top of your foundation wall and make sure the grade slopes away from your home. Follow these same guidelines for patios poured up against your house.
- Put a cover on your window wells. Basement windows are much more prone to leakage than above grade windows. Covers are your best defense. Well covers can be purchased at most home improvement stores. We do sell covers for Bilco and Monarch egress wells.
- Clean your windows. Most basement windows have a weep hole system at the bottom of the window to drain water. Make sure to keep the bottom tracks clean and pay close attention to the visible holes or openings. These must be kept clear of debris in order for the system to drain water properly.
- Keep your window wells free of debris. For the wells to properly drain water, they should be filled with stone on the inside of the well. This stone should be at least 2" down from the window sill and must be free of debris and silt.
- Maintain your downspouts. These must be connected and the water should flow away from your house. Improperly maintained downspouts can cause water to pool next to the foundation wall causing water to enter your basement.
|
