I live in a wonderful state in Minnesota. There, spring is usually a welcome grace from ice paths and minus 30 degrees wind chills. But for someone like me who handled water in the basement, the arrival of spring can bring a knot to your stomach. In March and April, there are usually heavy rainfall and plenty of snow. If your home isn’t ready, this can be miserable.
As a licensed agent and insurance editor, I know a little more than before. If your home is not ready for spring, you may find yourself in a world of financial wounds. I share what I’ve learned about spring home maintenance from being a homeowner for over 10 years.
How does water enter the basement?
Water can be entered underground in a variety of ways. Trust me, I know. These are some of the most common:
- Cracks in foundations and/or walls
- Poor ratings around your home
- The groove is clogged
- Inappropriately sealed windows
- Eject backup
- Sump pump failure
- Pipe Burst
To avoid the stress of finding water in your home, look into these areas – the earlier the better. If you’re a familiar DIYer, you might be able to deal with some of these potential issues yourself, but others may need to hire an underground waterproofing company to come for maintenance checks.
When purchasing a home, you usually need to have a home inspection. These inspections will ensure that the house you are buying is generally safe and functional, but we will not find any issues like plumbing or leaking in the attic crawl space, as we know that the inspector’s scope is limited to visible.
Underground water costs
Awake to find water in the basement can cause sudden anxiety to spike. You don’t need to have a completely flooded basement to feel the economic impact. Even small pools of water coming up from small cracks are expensive.
Minor cleanups and repairs only cost a few hundred dollars (or free for handy people with wet/dry VACs and fans), but one inch of water can cause damage up to $25,000. Over the years, these have been some of the water issues I personally dealt with and the cost of rectifying them.
| Water problem | Cost for correction |
|---|---|
| Clog the grooves, pour water on the sides along the house, and lower the underside of the spout. | $0; I cleaned the grooves myself |
| Water comes out of cracked clay drainage tile pipes under the foundation, concrete floor | $8,900. After installing new drain tiles, the concrete had to be divided and reported |
| There is a driveway sloping towards the house, and water enters through a concrete wall. | $17,450; New private road with proper grading |
| When the snow melts, water comes out of the spring frozen sump pump pipe, underground floor | $500; I thawed and rerouteed the sump pump drain pipe, so it was on the ground (the pipe was originally frozen because it wasn’t installed under the frost line). |
| Broken external drain pipe from the tree roots, water back through the drain in the basement | $6,816; Repaired Piping |
My costs may differ from your costs. The cost of correcting water problems in a basement varies based on many factors, including:
- problem: The reason why water is in your basement makes all the difference in repair costs. For example, repairing one leaky window will be much lower than you need to regenerate your garden.
- Water Type: Clean water that does not pose health concerns is less likely to clean than gray water (often from appliances that may contain small amounts of cleanser, detergents, or other potentially harmful chemicals) or black water from sewage.
- Completed and Unfinished Basement: If the walls are drywalled and the floors are carpeted, the flooding is more severe and repairs can be more expensive than all concrete basements.
- Underground size: The larger the basement, the more material and effort it takes.
- Damage Severity: Your home can be severely damaged by floods. Building materials cannot be simply fixed due to mold prevalence, potential corrosion, or structural damage in many cases. Replacing defective materials is more expensive than repairs.
Does my owner’s insurance cover water damage?
Water damage means many different things. Generally, standard homeowner insurance covers water issues that are sudden, accidental and not the result of negligence. This includes damage caused by snow weight, freezing pipes (as long as the heat is lit), or water overflowing from the appliance (as long as it is maintained properly).
However, certain floods are excluded. Excluded hazards often include flooding, wear and tear, intentional damage, or water backup. For example, my policy was not covering cracked clay drain tiles under the foundation as it is considered wear and tear.
Many insurers offer approvals for additional financial protection, such as sewer backup/water backup coverage and service line coverage. Through state farm insurance, there is water backup approval, covering $2,500 of a total of $6,816 bills to repair drains.
As mentioned before, flood water is normal do not have Covered by standard homeowner insurance contracts. Flood insurance is another insurance you should consider, keeping in mind that you don’t need to live in a flood zone to experience flooding.
How to prepare your home in the spring to avoid expensive insurance claims
No one wants to file an insurance claim. That means something bad has happened. Additionally, the premium could increase as a result. Consider these spring maintenance procedures to avoid expensive water issues.
- Clean gutters and multiples: Grab the ladder and a few garbage bags and get to work. If you are not safe on your own, hire Gutter Cleaning Company.
- Check the sump pump: If you have a sump pump, check the discharge pipe first. Are the fragments clear? Does it drain at least 10 feet away from your home? Next, we’ll test it to make sure it’s working. Move to the pump pit, remove the cover and gently lift the float attached to the pump. When it rises, the pump becomes active. Do not run for too long without water as this can damage the motor. Alternatively, you can lift the cover and slowly add a few gallons of water to the pit, then make it a kick type once the float rises.
- Check the roof and walls: If you notice any missing or damaged shingles or siding, we recommend that you hire an experienced contractor to assess things and do repairs.
- Check the window: Look for rotten wood on the outside. Keep your hands moving along the windows indoors to prevent air from leaking out. Look for signs of water stains, peeled paint, and condensation between painting.
- Check driveways and sidewalks: If you have a long level or straight edge, make sure you are tilted slightly away from your home. It may need to be repeated in different areas. Or, observe how the water flows after rain or when the snow is melting. If it doesn’t pool or flow towards your home, you’re probably clear.
- Check your water heater: Experts recommend flushing or maintaining your water heater every few years. Check for leaks and corrosion. If you don’t know how to service your water heater, hire a professional plumber.
- Check the pipes and tubes. How old is your appliance? The tube may drop over time. Additionally, unmodified leaks can accumulate and cause damage that is usually not covered by insurance.
Conclusion
With spring approaching quickly, it’s important to spend time maintaining your home to avoid expensive repairs and insurance claims. By being proactive, you can protect yourself financially and ensure that your home is prepared for any weather that comes your way. Check your homeowner’s insurance. If you have to charge, know what to expect. If you would like to make changes to your policy or add approvals, reach out to your agent.
