Give Your Basement Some Attention This Fall

If you’ve lived in Regina long enough, you know our clay gumbo soil can do some damage to our basement foundations. With fall rains and the first frosts just around the corner, September is the perfect time to tackle preventative maintenance before winter settles in. A little extra attention now can save you major headaches (and expenses) later, especially if you’re planning to sell in the spring.

1. Blow Out Your Sprinklers & Exterior Water Lines

As soon as temperatures dip, any water left in exterior lines can freeze, expand, and cause costly breaks. Book your sprinkler blowout early. Every landscaping company in town gets busy fast.

2. Test Your Sump Pump

Your sump pump is your basement’s best friend when it comes to heavy rains or snowmelt. Make sure it’s working, the float is moving freely, and the discharge line is clear. If you rely on a backup battery, now’s the time to check that too.

3. Inspect Grading Around Your Home

Walk the perimeter of your property. Is the ground sloping away from your foundation? If soil has settled over the summer, add fill to push water away from your house rather than toward it.

4. Clean Out Eaves & Downspouts

Clogged gutters can lead to water pooling right along your foundation — the last place you want it. Clean out leaves and debris, and make sure downspouts extend at least six feet away from the house.

5. Look for Early Warning Signs in the Basement

Walk through your basement slowly. Do you see moisture, efflorescence (that white powdery film), or small cracks forming in the walls or floor? Catching these early can help you address issues before they turn into structural headaches.