Spring Floods In Metro Detroit

While we’re all ready for the cold weather to hide away until fall, spring is not always a relieving time for Michigan weather. In Metro Detroit, many homeowners fear the spring thaw as it can lead to flooding all across the area. Over the past few years, we have seen even heavier storms during the spring, which added onto our flooding problems and basement disasters.

However, many homeowners are in denial about what a heavy rain can do to their basement and home. If you are one of the fortunate individuals who have never had to deal with a basement flood, we applaud you! We also know that you need to be prepared for the ‘what if’ moments and every angle of a basement flood.

Spring Rain & Snow Melt

If our weather is anything like last year, we can expect to see many of our spring storms result in heavy rainfall. Even just a few inches of rainfall, coming down at a fast and hard pace, can cause issues for your soil and foundation. When your soil is oversaturated, your foundation will start to weaken, ultimately leading to a basement flood. Additionally, while most of the snow has thawed, there are still a few areas that need to melt. When the ground is still frozen around your home, the thawed snow does not have anywhere to go except straight to your foundation and walls. Keep snow as far away from your home as possible, and if you can move that little patch of ice in the backyard, we recommend doing so.

Flash Floods

This is one of the biggest issues during spring, and not just because of the flooding problems in your basement. Flash floods lead to serious foundation and structural problems for your home or property, due to the water lingering around for a longer period of time. When the stagnant water doesn’t move, it creates more hydrostatic pressure on your home, and can lead to a basement flood quickly.

What Can You Do To Combat Spring Floods

While there are several different things you can do to prevent basement flooding, there are specific areas that can be addressed for spring floods.

• Look into flood insurance. Due to the recent floods that plagued Metro Detroit last summer, this has become a more common option for many homeowners.
• Repair, unclog, and maintain the areas that control water. This means cleaning gutters, repairing downspouts, and maintaining the area around your home to prevent water from crashing into your foundation.
• Install a sump pump. A sump pump can become your home’s lifesaver during the spring season. Consider having a sump pump installed by Tom’s Basement Waterproofing to help ease your mind a little bit more when it comes to heavy rain.

For more tips on how to keep spring a more beautiful and less costly season, give us a call at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today! (586) 776-7270