Prevention

How To Protect Your Basement From Flooding?

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Basement flooding is not something uncommon, and it can frequently occur during floods or heavy raining. But for those that have experienced flooding, getting the water out of the basement is a very stressful job. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from flooding, and these measurements will greatly increase your chances of keeping the basement dry.

So, to do just that, we’ve put together a couple of measurements that you can implement to prevent basement flooding from ever becoming a problem.

1. Clean and Frequently Maintain the Gutters and Downspouts

Maintaining and cleaning the gutters and downspouts is one of the most essential measurements you can take to prevent flooding. This is something that every homeowner should know, as failing to do so would leave you in a very bad position.

Gutters are prone to get filled with debris, so frequent cleaning is of the utmost importance. The downspouts, on the other hand, must be placed in position, well away from your home’s foundation, so that water from raining can flow freely. It is recommended that you place the downspouts at least 1,5 meters away from your home’s foundation, that way you can make sure that no water reaches it. You can do this by using various extensions that easily go into the end of the downspout, to make sure that your foundation stays safe and wet free.

2. Landscape Your Yard

Img source: medium.com

It goes without saying that there shouldn’t be any slopes in your landscape that direct the water to your home. It would be crazy to think that watering your flowers and yard could have a negative impact on your basement getting flooded. This could become a problem only in the case of any downward slopes that face your home.

Proper landscaping is essential for any residential home because it prevents any water from reaching the basement. If you notice any slopes facing your home, make sure to eighter level the entire yard or regrade the slope to prevent an unwanted situation. Another measurement to take is to build a French drain installed where the slope ends.

3. Inspect For any Foundation Cracks

It goes without saying that your foundation should be crack free since cracks openly welcome water in the time of heavy raining. Basement flooding can often occur if your exterior walls, basement walls, and foundation have any cracks in them.

It’s very easy to spot cracks, and all you have to do is look very hard for them. Fixing cracks is an even easier job, and can easily be done if you fill them with epoxy. But in most cases, this will not do the job, as fixing cracks should always be done by a professional. If you encounter any in your walls, make sure to call someone that knows how to do the job.

If you happen to experience any cracks in your basement, then make sure to visit www.GTARestoration.com, a Flooding Basement Toronto Company.

4. Sump Pump Maintenance

Img source: moving.com

Many residential homes have sump pumps, and it is one of the most effective ways to prevent an unwanted flooding situation. On the other hand, a failing sump pump is probably the worst thing that can happen to you if a storm is about to approach. But the sump pump does far more than just prevent water from filling in your basement. They are an excellent line of defense against numerous other occurrences such as mold. But it goes without saying that this device requires a lot of maintenance, as simply owning one doesn’t mean an end to your flooding problems.

If your town is expected to be hit by a huge storm, take the necessary steps to ensure your sump pump is up and running. During bad storms, it’s not unusual for the power to go off, so invest money into a small generator that will keep the pump running in the case of a power outage. And another thing that will make you invest your money into a sump pump, even more, is the fact that basement flooding is not covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

5. Sewers and Septic System Maintenance

Another useful measurement to prevent your basement from an influx of water is to have your sewers and septic systems inspected. If the initial inspection shows worrying results of clogs, overflows, and a variety of other harmful things, then make sure to have them properly cleaned and maintained.

When heavy rain reaches your clogged septic systems and sewers, there is almost a 100% chance that you will experience basement flooding. Do not neglect this part as all it takes is a simple inspection that would otherwise cost you a lot of money.

6. Install Window Well Covers

Img source: tundracwwc.com

A lot of residential homes have basements with below-par windows that make the entire basement vulnerable to water intake. The only way you can fight large bodies of water coming in from your windows is to install window well covers.

You’d be surprised to see how beneficial these can be when heavy rains storm your town. It is a brilliant way to keep outside water from the basement, and subsequently, prevent any water from reaching the foundation of your home. Window well covers should be a top priority to make your entire basement waterproof. As a general rule, acrylic window well covers are considered as the best type of protection.

7. Take Extra Insurance Coverage

The last tip on our list won’t necessarily keep the water out, but it will help fight the costs. As we mentioned, flooding is quite common to some places around the world, and anything bar the desert is prone to flooding. So if you happen to live in an area where flooding frequently occurs, or you want to take an extra step to protect your pocket after flooding, then make sure to get additional insurance coverage for sewer backups.

This type of insurance will greatly help you t cover for the costs after a basement flooding. Additionally, you might already be covered with this type of insurance, and all you have to do is simply look at your home’s insurance plan.

Spinal Injury Prevention: 7 Must-Dos for Athletes

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When you’re involved in any sort of sport, your risk for injury increases. We’re not getting spinal cord injuries sitting on the couch (although many people do get them as a result of sitting in a car.

And the spine is a part of the human body that we don’t completely appreciate until there’s a problem. In this post, we’re going to touch on the importance of spinal cord protection and seven things you can do to prevent injury.

The importance of spinal cord protection

When you injure most other body parts, you know exactly what’s going to happen. You sprain your ankle, and you’ll have trouble walking for a time. Break your arm, and you’ll have some pain before you need to reset the bone. You also know there’s always a chance that your body won’t function 100 percent in the way it did before.

Img source: averybiomedical.com

But an injury to the spinal cord is entirely different. It’s almost as if anything can go wrong, depending on the location and severity of the injury.

An injury to the spinal cord can cause irreversible changes to strength, sensation, and bodily function. This is why it’s crucial to protect your spine from injury at all times, especially when exercising.

7 Things You Must Do to Protect Your Spinal Cord

1. Take caution when jumping into the water – if you’re a swimmer or a diver, always check the depth of the pool before you jump. One of the quickest and easiest ways to injure your spinal cord is to jump into shallow water. You’ve probably heard the horror stories. But there are two tips to follow before you dive anywhere.

2. Check the depth – Before you jump into the water, always know the depth. This can get dicey when you’re jumping into a natural pool instead of a manmade one. Before you jump, explore the depth of the pool below. And if you have any question, don’t jump. It’s not worth the risk.

3. Estimate the height to depth ratio – When you jump from a higher point, your body will be projected deeper into the water. And if there isn’t enough depth to complete the process, you’re likely to experience a spinal cord injury. This ratio can get complicated, and it can vary based on your height and body weight, but you should be able to come up with a conservative estimate. According to the Department of Health, you should never dive headfirst into water less than 8 feet in depth.

Img source: brighamhealthhub.org

4. Wear a helmet – If you’re engaged in any activity that requires accelerated motion, such as mountain biking, skateboarding or rollerblading, wear a helmet. While it’s true that a helmet is designed to protect your head, a 2018 Journal of Neurology study found that using a helmet is associated with a much lower risk of developing a cervical spine injury.

5. Avoid leading with your head – While it may seem appealing to jump in “head first,” this is likely to cause a head injury. So if you can avoid it, don’t lead with your head. An example of leading with your head that can be avoided is sliding headfirst to a base in baseball or tackling headfirst in football.

6. Take calculated risks – Falls are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, and many of them can be prevented. Before you take any silly risks, remind yourself that you’re not invincible. And then, ask yourself whether the risk is wise.

7. Take baby steps – When you first get involved with a new sport, it’s tempting to give it all you’ve got. But it’s important to get familiar with the basics before you start doing anything advanced. Move forward, but do so with confidence that you know what you’re doing.

The spine is too important to expose to injury, so be sure to take these measures to prevent any preventable causes of spinal cord injury. To learn more about spinal injuries and what to do if you suffer from a spinal cord injury, visit https://www.hamparyan.com/san-diego-back-spine-injury-attorney/.