Few things make your stomach drop like discovering standing water in your basement. Whether it’s just a soggy corner or a full-on indoor pool, basement floods can cause severe damage, ruining walls, furniture, flooring, and even your home’s structure. Trust us: if you’ve ever walked downstairs after a heavy storm to find soaked carpet or a musty, mildew-scented mess, you don’t forget it.

The good news? Most basement floods are preventable with a few smart precautions. Below, we’ll walk you through the most common flooding causes and what you can do, based on what we’ve learned as contractors and homeowners.

Water can sneak into your basement in several ways:

• Heavy rainfall or snowmelt can oversaturate the ground.
• Poor drainage funnels water toward your home instead of away from it.
• Foundation cracks open a direct path for water to enter.
• Sewer backups or sump pump failures can send water back where you don’t want it.

We once worked with a homeowner in Provo who had beautiful new carpet installed—just weeks before a summer downpour revealed a hidden crack in the foundation. The entire floor had to be ripped out. Situations like that are what make proactive prevention worth it.

It’s not just about saving money; you’ll save a lot by avoiding cleanup and repairs. Preventing basement floods also:

• Protects your home’s structure from water damage
• Keeps your indoor air healthy by stopping mold and mildew
• Saves you from the emotional headache of losing valuable belongings
• Plus, insurance doesn’t always cover flood damage, mainly caused by poor maintenance or lack of a sump pump.

1. Grade Your Yard Properly

Walk around your home after the next rainstorm—do you see water pooling near the foundation? That’s a red flag. Your landscaping should slope away from your home, not toward it.

We helped one client in South Jordan who was constantly battling basement moisture. The problem was their back patio, which was poured completely flat, sending water straight to the foundation. Extending the patio by just a few inches made a massive difference.

2. Install (or Maintain) a Sump Pump

If your basement doesn’t already have a sump pump, it’s time to consider one. These devices sit in a pit and automatically pump water out if it starts to collect.

Pro tip: Get one with a battery backup. During one terrible storm in Lehi, the power and the sump pumps went out. Homes with backups stayed dry—the others… not so much.

3. Waterproof Like You Mean It

Waterproofing doesn’t have to mean tearing up your whole basement. Sealing the walls and floor with waterproof paint or epoxy can even help. But if you live in an older home, having a pro install an interior drainage system or exterior waterproof barrier might be worth it.

4. Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean

This one sounds boring, but it’s crucial. Clogged gutters overflow and dump water directly next to your foundation. Make sure your downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from your house. You can buy extenders at any hardware store.

One couple we worked with in American Fork solved their leak issue by doing nothing more than cleaning out their gutters and installing two $12 downspout extenders.

5. Seal Foundation Cracks Early

Tiny hairline cracks may not seem like a big deal, but water will find them. We recommend walking around your basement every season or two and inspecting the walls for any signs of movement or gaps. Seal them with hydraulic cement or call a professional if they’re large or growing.

6. Add Backup Systems

Things fail. Power goes out. Pumps burn out. That’s why we always recommend a backup plan. A battery-powered or water-powered sump pump backup can be a real basement-saver.

We’ve seen firsthand how one $250 backup pump saved a $30,000 finished basement from ruin.

Even the most well-meaning homeowners make missteps that increase their flood risk. Be sure to avoid:

• Ignoring regular gutter maintenance
• Letting grading problems persist
• Skipping sump pump testing (test it at least once per season)
• Failing to fix small cracks
• Not investing in a backup pump or drainage system

Basement floods are messy, expensive, and stressful, but usually preventable. With a mix of good maintenance habits and smart upgrades, you can keep your basement dry no matter the weather.

We’ve helped families all over Utah avoid water damage with simple, cost-effective solutions. You don’t need to panic every time it rains—just be prepared, and you’ll be way ahead of the game.