Navigating the Red River: Protect from Basement Floods
As the NOAA official website discussed, the valley's flat slopes and slow river flow allow the backfill into other branches, causing the river to rise (NOAA, 2016). With higher river levels, it is more likely to saturate the soil and then leak into your home. Furthermore, others contribute like the freeze-melt cycle, early spring rains, and the amount of snow accumulated over time contribute to the over-saturation of the soil around your home.
What Weakens Basements
The Clay Bowl Effect
At the beginning stages of home building, contractors dig a hole in the ground to make room for the basement and foundation. The hole for the home must be slightly larger than necessary. Once the foundation is laid, the crew backfills with loose and fluffed soil from the excavation. Compared to hard-packed soil, this loose soil absorbs more water and becomes heavier. With all this loose soil, it creates a "clay bowl" causing water to collect around your home and foundation. This will lead to excess pressure being placed onto your foundation, weakening the walls and causing water intrusion.
Hydrostatic Pressure
One of the most common causes of flooding basements is hydrostatic pressure. As the soil around your home becomes soaked with moisture, the soil will expand, and the weight of the water will press onto the foundation. As the pressure builds against your foundation, the water will begin to work its way into your basement. The water will sneak in through the porous cracks of the walls or floors, the opening of pipes, and through basement windows.
Stay One Flood Ahead
When the Red River floods, it is important to keep an eye out for these key signs. One major indicator that water is not properly draining away from your home is damp walls. If it goes unfixed, damp walls can lead to serious leaks and flooding in your home. Another clear sign is a wet floor or standing water. Water can sneak up through the cracks and pores in your concrete floors. Furthermore, water will sneak in from the edge of your basement and travel to the lower portions of the floors.
Build the Basement Barrier
With the Red River flood risk being so high, it is important to understand the risk it has on your home and the soil around it. Protect your biggest investment by ensuring it has the best waterproofing products. American Waterworks offers top-of-the-line waterproofing products that will protect your basement and foundation.
Our award-winning, patented below-floor system, WaterGuard, will prevent water from sneaking into your home. The WaterGuard intercepts water at the perimeter of the basement and sends it away safely.
Now that your perimeter is secure, you want to ensure your walls have top-level protection. Our CleanSpace Wall Vapor Barrier stops water from permeating walls and moves it away from the leaks in the perimeter drain. The liner can conform to bumps or cracked walls and is installed with permanent drilled-in fasteners. CleanSpace is durable, washable, and has anti-microbial protection called UltraFresh.
You have peace of mind knowing your walls and floors are protected, but another integral part is having a properly running sump pump. American Waterworks offers the most reliable sump pump in the market, the TripleSafe Sump Pump. The TripleSafe provides three levels of protection. Additionally, all our sump pumps come with the option to attach the UltraSump, a backup system that can pump up to 12,000 gallons of water.
Avoid Flooding Frustrations
We know the weather can be unpredictable, but you can always be prepared. Don't be taken off guard by unexpected basement flooding. Have that peace of mind knowing your basement is professionally protected. Click HERE to sign up for your FREE, no-obligation estimate with one of our professionally trained Design Specialists to determine which system is best fit for your home!
Outside Resources:
US Department of Commerce, N. (2016, January 13). Anatomy of a Red River spring flood. National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/fgf/AnatomyRedRiverSpringFlood