Ground Water Seepage is Excluded

North Platte, Nebraska’s water table is often high. Most homes have basements and unfortunately many basements in North Platte, Nebraska get water intrusion.

Insurance companies call the “peril”, or cause of loss, “ground water seepage” and it is excluded from coverage.

If your basement is full of water after big rains then the culprit is typically the foundation. There can be several reasons why ground water finds its way into your basement:

Find the Cause

Obviously, you’ll first be mobilizing to clean up the water.  But, don’t forget that the reason for the water needs remedied so that it doesn’t continue to be a potential threat.

Gutters & Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts don’t just remove water from your roof – they channel water away from the foundation. Water that accumulates next to the foundation can affect the sealant and eventually work its way into your home. Gutters and downspouts are of the most economical ways to prevent ground water intrusion.

In North Platte, Nebraska downspout extensions helps funnel water away from foundations. These can come in multiple different forms like seamless aluminum runs, accordion plastic devices and splash guards. The more permanent, enclosed and longer the extension then the more effective the water removal is.

Seamless aluminum downspout extensions can be custom built with hinges to move them during mowing or provide easy motion around the exterior of the home.

Sump Pumps

Sump pumps run automatically to remove water from basements and crawlspaces. They should be located in the lowest area to provide efficient draining and to collect all water intrusion. Installing and maintaining a sump pump is essential due to high water tables as North Platte, Nebraska is located between two rivers.

You’d look to a licensed, Nebraska plumber to install a sump pump in your basement for preventing future rising water levels.

Un-sealed Foundations

Many older homes in North Platte, Nebraska didn’t have the foundations sealed. Or, the sealant has deteriorated over time. Re-sealing the foundation can be an appropriate remedy for basement and crawlspace water intrusion.

This solution is more complex to navigate – your foundation needs to be excavated so that is can be sealed.  Flower beds and landscaping next to your foundation will likely be ruined trying to gain exposure and access. 

Land Grading

How many of us have flower beds next to the foundation of our homes? Most of us! They require maintenance watering and so does grass landscaping next to the foundation.

Water will always find the lowest level to settle.

Overtime, erosion will cause the ground elevation next to the foundation to lower and settle. This area should be routinely monitored to ensure the elevation level doesn’t erode lower than the main level of landscaping. Rebuilding this section to ensure water funnels away from the foundation is essential and neglecting it will create costly problems in the future.

Sprinkler Systems

Underground sprinkler systems and manuals sprinklers should never be focused towards the foundation. This creates erosion next to the foundation of the home. Sprinkler heads should always be monitored so that they are not spraying directly at the foundation.

How Do You Know What Is Wrong?

Evaluating these causes for ground water intrusion is usually something a homeowner can research and evaluate themselves visually.

You know your home better than anyone else – you live there.

In working a process of elimination, you may find that you need a contractor to help you remedy the situation. We are happy to come check things out – our evaluation is free.

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This blog is NOT legal advice.  It is not insurance policy advice.  You should consult and attorney and/or a licensed insurance agent for your specific situation.