Top 10 ways to keep your basement dry! Drain tiles install on the exterior of the footing is the best method of relieving hydrostatic pressure against your foundation due to heavy rains.  The water flows away from the house through the tiles by gravity force.  Most new homes are built with this type of system. The second best method is to have drain tiles installed under the basement floor next to the footings.  The use of a sump pit and pump is used to remove the water through a drain line drilled through the foundation wall.  Make sure the drain line is long enough so the water flows away from the house.  I highly recommend that an alarm & back-up battery be installed with this type of system.  (Heavy rains are usually accompanied with high winds and lightning.) Make sure the grade around your foundation is sloped away from the house and all the downspouts have adequate extensions. Make sure the exterior side of the foundation is properly waterproofed. Provide waterproof covers for basement window wells. When you leave home for the weekend or longer, shutoff the main water supply valve for the house.  There are numerous fittings, valves, and fixtures that may be worn or have a defect.  This usually shows up when you are away from home for a few days or more.  In eight hours a 1/2 inch broken pipe can pump approximately 1440 gallons of water into you home.  The majority of it will end up in the basement. Make sure drain hoses for air conditioning condensation lines, water softeners, humidifiers are not clogged to prevent overflow from these systems. If you are going to finish an unfinished basement, make sure insulation is between a water line and the foundation wall.  If this is not possible, install small siding vents in the drywall so heat can still reach the water pipe.  Frozen water pipes usually burst providing a new wading pool where it is least desired. If you notice a stained ceiling in your finished basement, take it seriously by determining the cause as soon as possible.  It could very well be a pipe or plumbing fixture that is about to burst. Have older hot water heaters inspected for excess wear and rust.  A rusted out bottom of a hot water tank will put 40 - 50 gallons of unneeded water onto the floor of your basement in a short period of time. Heritage Home Services, Inc. P.O. Box 648 Elkhorn, NE 68022 Phone: (402) 779-2529 Fax: (402) 777-3384 rickc2@cox.net ASHI member Affiliated Member of the Omaha Board of Realtors