The record rain amounts are frightening. And though you intentionally built your house on a higher lot to avoid the threat of rising groundwater, that same caution that you took when building has forced you to look at further water proofing solutions for your walkout basement. The fact that the news seems too frequently to report 100-year or 1000-year record flood levels indicate to you that it only makes sense to use water proofing solutions and other known landscaping options to further protect your home and your family.
American Cities with the Most Rainfall
- Columbia, Tennesse
- Shelbyville, Tennessee
- Beumont, Texas
- Layfayette, Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Hialeah, Florida
- Pensicola, Florida
- Jupiter, Florida
- Slidell, Louisiana
- Hammond, Louisiana
- Miami, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Juneau, Alaska
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- Crestview, Florida
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Homestead, Florida
- Sulphur, Louisiana
- Pembroke Pines, Florida
- Prairieville, Louisana
- Houma, Louisiana
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- Mobile, Alabama
- Pascagoula, Mississippi
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Longview, Washington
- Marrero, Louisiana
- Maple Valley, Washington
- Hilo, Hawaii
The fact that Juneau, Alaska, slides into that list between two cities in Florida speaks to the strangeness of rainfall. And while some locations like cities in southern Louisiana seem like logical locations on the list of American cities with the most rainfall, northern cities like Maple Valley, Washington, may come as a surprise. The unpredictability of rain, snow, and other weather events in a time of volatile climate changes may be an indication that no homeowner is safe from foundation and water problems caused by moisture. In fact, even small amounts of moisture that occur during the thawing and refreezing of winter months can cause extensive damage. And as any home owner who has had to spend a good deal of money on repairs can tell you, the best time to prepare for water damage is before it happens.
Water Proofing Solutions Vary by Location
Ground water levels obviously vary greatly throughout the U.S. And while homeowners in Omaha, Nebraska, may install sump pumps to deal with rising ground water levels, other states like Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas do not even have homes with basements. Whether you live in a part of the country that is used to dealing with high level water tables or you live on higher ground, the best advice for water proofing solutions for your home is from local experts.
Foundation repair services and basement cracks and leaks are dealt with in different ways in different parts of the country. While some locations have to make repairs for a climate that rarely drips below freezing, other locations have to make repairs knowing that temperatures may remain below zero for weeks at a time.Selecting a local foundation expert will provide the best guidance and the best results.
Do Homes in Your State Install Sump Pumps?
In some parts of the country, installing a sump pump is a given precaution in all homes. In other parts of the country, however, the need for sump pumps seems to be less predictable. Homes that are built on the highest part of a subdivision, for example, may not have a sump pump, while homes in the same subdivision that are built on lower level lots may require two of these pumps.
Available in a couple of different styles, sump pump installation always serves the same purpose: to remove rising ground water before it makes its way into a basement. Pedestal sump pumps, for example, usually last 25 to 30 years if they are installed properly and kept free of debris. These models, by definition, sit above a basement floor. Submersible sump pumps, on the other hand, are placed into a deep hole that is dug below the basement flooring and can last from last five to 15 years. The key to the success of any sump pump is the same, however. They must be kept free of any other items that could keep them from working effectively. And while some homeowners always have their sump pump running, others can merely rely on an emergency activation float that will turn the pump on when it is needed.
Recent rain records like the year’s worth on rain that fell in 24 hours near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, caused as many as 60,000 homes to be destroyed. These frightening weather events often make other homeowners question the water proofing solutions they have used in their homes. Is it time for you to have an expert examine your foundation or basement?
