April showers (and thunderstorms) bring problems in the basement.  Next time we get a nice hard rain do what I do.  I have Cheri go out to inspect the gutters and downspouts.  Here’s a checklist I give  her (feel free to apologize to your true love if you have to, but this has to be done during a hard rain).

1.  Are downspouts connected to the drain tiles?

2.  Are the drains handling the water or are the drains backing up and overflowing?

3.  Is the water (and hail stones) rolling away from the basement walls or do you find a couple places that may need some fill dirt (topsoil can be purchased in bags that are easy for a woman to handle)… or if you want a truck load of soil, Mother’s Day is fast approaching and what woman wouldn’t want a new wheel barrow?

4.  While she’s out there have her check that no vegetation is touching the house…or planted closer than 18 inches from the foundation.

5.  Just to show her you are fair minded, check over her checklist and explain how you want any issues fixed. 

6.  I personally inspect the sump pump to see it is operating correctly.  Some things you just can’t delegate!

Once she has these things taken care of you should sleep well knowing you won’t be having water problems in the basement.  If your lady thinks this is a little too much to expect of her, simply remind her scrubbing mold off the basement walls will not be much fun either!

Always trying to help,

John