Autumn Basement Cleaning & Preparation Guide

Fall is a beautiful time in Cleveland, OH. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold. When we are not enjoying the outdoors with family and friends, we are savoring pumpkin-flavored drinks and the weather. But there’s a lot more to it than merrymaking and good food. 

The cold weather creeping in brings with it changes in temperatures, precipitation, and rainfall. All these weather changes can have adverse effects on the health of your home’s basement if you don’t take precautionary measures right now. 

Is your home ready for autumn? 

Cleaning and preparing your basement for fall can help you protect yourself from costly repairs in the near future. Here are some of the critical things you need to do before fall arrives. 

Inspect your basement doors and windows 

Check to confirm that all basement doors and windows close snugly. If you notice any worn or torn weatherstripping, have them replaced immediately. Also, make sure to caulk and weatherstrip any holes in your doors and window frames that may let in drafts of air. 

Check your gutters and downspouts 

Gutters need to be in good working condition to function properly in autumn. Remove any leaves and debris to allow water to flow freely. Check to confirm that the downspouts are unclogged and are directing water away from your home’s foundation. 

You can expect some precipitation in early autumn then snowfall later on. If the gutters are faulty or clogged, water will back up and start pouring on the sides of your wall. 

Trim tree branches 

Overhanging limbs can direct water to your walls to the cracks on your siding. By clipping them, you’ll prevent water transfer. 

Seal and insulate holes and cracks 

Inspect the inside and outside of your basement walls for any holes, especially around electrical connections, cables, or pipes entering the house. Sealing and insulating these holes not only reduces the amount of cold air and moisture entering your home, but it also keeps out pests and rodents. 

Clean your basement walls 

Cleaning concrete block walls helps prevent any mold and mildew from potentially growing on your walls. This allows you to enjoy cleaner and fresher indoor air. Once the walls are clean, disinfect them with a bleach solution and dry them with a towel. 

Winterize water pipes 

As autumn gives way to winter, temperatures will start falling. Your pipes are likely to freeze if they’re not insulated. Wrap the exposed pipes with electric tape then cover them with foam insulation. 

Clean air vents 

Ensure that you check the heating vents in your home. Remove dirty filters and replace them with clean or new ones. 

Upgrade your appliances 

Old home appliances tend to consume more energy than their smart counterparts, which is a step back in your quest to make your home energy efficient. 

Waterproof your basement 

As well as preventing water infiltration, basement waterproofing discourages mold growth, pest infestation, and wood rot in your Cleveland, OH, home all year round. Waterproofing also reduces your utility costs. Some crucial basement waterproofing solutions that can help you create a dry, healthy basement include: 

Interior Drainage System: This system helps prevent water buildup in the basement by intercepting any leaking water and directing it to a sump pump. 

Sump pump: This vital appliance prevents basement flooding by ejecting any water collected by the interior drainage system. 

Vapor barrier: A thick and durable vapor barrier prevents moisture from the outdoors from entering your basement through your foundation wall. 

Dehumidifier: This appliance sucks out moisture from the basement air keeping it dry and mold-free. 

If you think your basement is at risk of water damage, contact the professionals at Ohio Basement Systems to get a free basement waterproofing inspection and quote. We will assess your basement and level of preparedness and tell you what areas still need your attention.