WEST MICHIGAN (Feb. 19, 2014) — As the snow melts, flooding might become a concern for some West Michigan residents.
FOX 17 caught up with Great Lakes Waterproofing Company. The company is already responding to some concerns. It was another service call for Chad Watkins and Paul Mefford.
The duo have seen their share of flooding in West Michigan homes and businesses, like the water seepage reported at a retirement community in Sparta.
With snow and icicles starting to melt, the employees are in prevention mode.
They’re preparing to inject a clay material underground along the property’s foundation.
“It creates that impermeable wall membrane that’s stops the water from seeping in there,” Watkins explained.
He said the clay, which is pumped from a barrel at 20 pounds per square inch, will force its way along the base, spread out, and then rise when it has no where else to go.
“There we go. [I] got it rising. Alright Paul, cut it off. Yup, once we get that rising up, we know we done our job there and we’ll move down the wall a little bit,” Watkins illustrated.
It’s one prevention technique sought out increasingly as temperatures rise.
“Once this snow starts to melt, it’s got to have somewhere to go, and either it’s in your basement or in a drain,” Watkins said.
He’s offering other tips on things you can do to prevent flooding in your property.
– Clear the gutters
– Make sure your downspouts are extending away from your home
– Make sure the slope of the land around your property accommodates carries water away from your home
– If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure it’s running. Make sure it has a battery back up system.
– If you have a tower drain in your basement, make sure it’s cleaned out. Make sure you run a hose through it.
