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Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Are You Insured for the Next Flood? Probably Not.

(Click on the image for information about the National Flood Insurance Program)

Washington Consumers’ Checkbook advice on Basement Waterproofers:
"If your basement is wet, please, please, PLEASE read the following before you call in a basement waterproofing contractor:
  • Most basements get wet when rainwater runs toward the walls of houses from roofs, yards, and driveways. The first step to eliminating the invasion of water is to force it to run away from your home. Repairing gutters, extending downspouts, and/or grading the soil around your house will clear up most problems at a minimal price.
  • If these simple fixes don’t work, get an independent opinion from a drainage specialist or home inspector with expertise in drainage issues. You’ll have to pay for an inspection, but a competent inspector’s advice may save you many times the fee.
  • Focus on solving the problem from the outside. Many basement waterproofing contractors want to sell costly interior drainage systems with sump pumps—even if you don’t need it. The best solutions prevent water from reaching the walls of your home; interior systems manage water only after it has entered the building.
Don’t ask a basement waterproofing contractor for help until you are absolutely sure you need one.
If you do need to hire a contractor, meet with and obtain proposals from several companies. Many landscaping companies specialize in drainage work. Among basement waterproofing contractors, big differences exist in the quality of advice provided. Avoid companies that use aggressive sales tactics."