Outside the house
- Grade the soil so it falls away from the foundation for two metres or so
- Extend downspouts well away from the walls
- Keep window wells free of leaves and fitted with covers
- Clear the street catch basin of leaves in fall, if safe
In the basement
- Test the sump pump every spring and fall
- Add a battery or water-powered backup pump
- Add a backwater valve to the building drain
- Keep floor drains clear and their traps filled
- Store valuables on shelves, not on the floor
Plumbing habits
- Know where the main shut-off is.
- Replace rubber washer hoses with braided ones.
- Fit a drip pan under the water heater.
- Shut off the water when you travel.
A walk-around after every big storm
After heavy rain, take a flashlight around the basement. Look at the base of each wall, at the floor drain, the sump pit and the water heater pan. Small damp spots are easier to trace when fresh. Outside, check that downspout extensions are still attached and pointing away from the house.
Insurance
Many home policies need a separate rider for sewer backup and overland water. Read yours now. Related: backwater valve basics, sump pump spring check and plumbing after a flood.
Keep-handy checklist
- Turn the main shut-off a quarter each way once a year so it never seizes
- Hang a flanged plunger and a pail beside the basement floor drain
- Shine a light under each vanity and kitchen sink every spring and fall
- Pencil the install date on the water heater and the sump pump
Your questions, answered plainly
What is the most common cause of basement floods?
In storms, sewer backups and sump failures; at other times, failed water heaters and burst lines.