Of all homes with basements, over 98% will experience some type of water damage. Homes with sump pumps are especially vulnerable to basement flooding, and while it’s always ideal to invest in reliable basement waterproofing services, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your basement dry using your yard. That’s right — nothing but your home’s landscaping. Here are just a few household gardening ideas that can help keep your basement or crawl space dry.
Think Tall
First, it’s important to keep in mind while trying all of these ideas that your plants should be placed a minimum of two feet from the foundation and low enough in the soil so as not to direct water toward the foundation. With that in mind, experts recommend planting taller plants with deep roots that can absorb enough water. But be careful — if you grow plants with large leaves, it may cause the soil to become hard and baked after a period of drought. When that happens, the water can flow downhill and into your basement.
Don’t Neglect the Porch/Patio
If you have a porch or patio, it often helps to cut back on rainwater and flooding to hang container plants from the covering. You don’t have to go crazy or hang any exceptionally large plants that could impact the covering’s structural integrity, but investing in some smaller, aesthetically pleasing plants can actually work in your favor.
Avoid Bare Patches
While you don’t want to crowd your garden, you don’t want it to be too bare, either. Bare soil can easily compact and harden with heavy rainfall, making it unable to absorb water. As a result, runoff can occur, and it can even take the topsoil with it. Instead of leaving bare patches, use mulch to your advantage.
“If you have an area of garden that you don’t use then instead of leaving it bare cover with mulch or sow with a speedy green manure crop, such as mustard,” says Saga Magazine.
Again, while it’s always best to invest in professional waterproofing services, landscaping can help as well when it comes to keeping your basement dry, especially basements with sump pumps. For more information about waterproofing services, contact Dry-Tek Environmental.
