Stopping Water From Running Down Outdoor Steps And Into The Basement

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Check your outdoor floor drain regularly to prevent basement flooding!

A Blocked Drain Can Lead to Water Intrusion 

An outdoor drain plays a different role from the ones inside your home. An outdoor drainage system will prevent water from running inside your home and causing water damage. A properly functioning outdoor drain is the reason why your home does not flood every time it rains. 

However, if the drain is blocked, it can cause severe water damage to your property. You must take the proper steps to prevent water from running down the stairwell and into your basement. This post will go over all actionable items to take when you notice standing water in the stairwell.

4 Steps To Prevent Outdoor Water Intrusions  

There are 4 steps you can take to prevent water from running down the stairwell into your basement. These actionable steps can help prevent future water damages and allow you to have some added protection to ensure low insurance premiums!

1) Make Sure That The Drain Remains Unclogged

The most common reason for standing water in the stairwell is a clogged drain. A drain can easily be covered with mud, leaves, grass, or even garbage. The SERVPRO professionals recommended regularly checking your outdoor drainage systems and for standing water in the stairwell. 

2) Install A Stairway Cover 

We know that this option may not be possible for all home designs, but you can install a stairway cover to protect the stairwell from the outdoor elements if possible. Typically we have seen homeowners install a metal hatchway or similar type of cover. Installing a stairway cover will help reduce rainwater from reaching your basement and stairwell drain cloggings. 

3) Inspect The Surroundings

In many cases, when inspecting a basement flood, we have determined that the reason is a flawed drainage system. For starters, a poor landscape drainage system will leave the stairwell drain to have to work harder because it will have to take on draining the rainwater and the water coming from the landscape runoff. Also, please pay attention to the gutter system and ensure that they are in proper working function. Water coming from roofs and downspouts can cause drainage issues and leave standing water in the stairwell.

4) Reinforce The Basement Door

Lastly, you can reinforce the basement door to ensure that none of the water from the stairwell gets inside your basement. Even if there is standing water in the stairwell, it will still not be able to come inside the basement, protecting you from basement flooding. 

How To Unclog An Outside Drain

If you find standing water in the stairwell is due to a clogged drain, you first need to assess the problem to make sure that it is not a simple fix like leaves covering the drainage system. If the problem seems to be more severe, it is best to call a professional plumber to come out and help. 

Basement Water Damage Professionals

If the problem persists and you notice water damage inside your home due to a defective drainage system, you need to contact IICRC certified professionals. SERVPRO of South Cobb are experts in water damage restoration and have partnered with the top Atlanta plumbers to ensure that there will no longer be standing water in the stairwell from a clogged drain. The sooner you call experts at SERVPRO, the greater the chances of preventing future water damages. 

Call us at: (770) 739-2355