Do you know what is the most familiar piece of advice during a tornado warning? Get into your basement! Despite the fact that most houses in tornado-prone regions like Oklahoma lack basements, authorities advise the citizens to move into their basements. This is because basements are the safe zone of your home during a hurricane.
It is worth mentioning here that some people think that their OKC home should not have a basement due to high water tables and red clay. However, this is not true. This article provides effective strategies for waterproofing your basement, especially if you live in an area at high risk for tornadoes.
Basement Waterproofing Checklist
In a city like Oklahoma, which is prone to severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and has high groundwater levels, it is important to adopt a proactive approach to saving your basement from water damage. We are sharing a checklist that will be helpful during basement waterproofing.
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Build a Solid Foundation
A solid foundation can work wonders to save your basement from water ingress. Ensure your foundation’s soundness by conducting regular inspections. Hire restoration OKC services for in-depth basement evaluation. Professionals make sure your home’s basement is free from:
- Cracks and gaps
- Plumbing leaks
- Signs of water intrusion, like mold growth
If you detect any signs of foundation damage, get it repaired befire the tornado.
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Inspect your Home’s Exterior
Pay attention to your home’s exterior waterproofing components. Make sure the gutters and downspouts are far enough away from the external walls of your sanctuary to prevent flooding and moisture damage during extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall. The gutters must not be clogged, and the land should slope away from the basement. Also, trim the breakable tree twigs and bushes before the storm. Remove wood, stones, or any other obstacles that can potentially become airborne.
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Install a French Drain
Install a French drain around the perimeter of your home’s basement to channel the accumulating water toward the sump pump. A similar drainage system is installed outside, which uses subsurface pipes to redirect floodwaters away from your basement.
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Check the Floor Drains in your Basement:
If there are any floor drains in your basement, make sure they can easily back up when required. For instance, floor drains can be quite helpful in removing water dumped around your home’s exterior and overwhelming the drains. The best approach is to inspect them ahead of time and make sure they are in proper working condition. Floor drains ensure the water will flow in the right direction in case your basement is flooded.
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Test your Sump Pump:
Make sure your sump pump is in good working condition before you need it. Encountering a malfunctioning pump in the middle of a tornado would be the worst possible situation. Therefore, if you have a sump pump, subject it to a test run. If you don’t have one, consider installing it. Calling restoration OKC companies to assess the normal functioning of the sump pump and other interior and exterior drainage systems in your basements allows you to protect your basement from water damage better.
How to Prepare Your Basement for a Tornado?
Now that everything in your basement has been tested and proven to combat water ingress, you can prepare your basement to use it as a shelter during tornadoes. Have a look at these considerations in this regard.
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Turn Off the Utilities
Before you seek refuge during a tornado warning in your basement, make sure to power off all electric appliances and gas to save them from fires, explosions, or any other dangerous situations. If you have ample time before moving to your crawlspace, make sure to switch off all utilities.
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Gather the Essentials
If you are preparing to spend the tornado season in your basement, having a sufficient supply of all the essentials is requisite. Here are some of the most important things you will need for the tornado preparedness kit.
- Water:
Water is a must for survival. One person requires an average of 1 gallon of water per day. So, if you are a family of four, you must have at least four gallons of water per day. A general rule of thumb is to store at least one week’s water supply, which is around 28 gallons.
- Food Supply:
Like water, store 3-4 days of food. Your food supply should include canned meat, fruits, and vegetables. Compared to water, you can stay without food for longer durations, but food is critical for energy. Since you are packing canned foods, do not forget to pack a can opener.
- Other Necessities:
Apart from food and water supply, you need to keep items that would be helpful in case of emergency. Here are some necessities that you must have in a tornado emergency preparedness box:
- Flashlights
- First aid box
- Weather radio
- Prescription medicines
- Batteries
- Toiletries
- Garbage bags
- Paper towels
- Mobile phone chargers
- Dust masks
- All-purpose cleaner
- Fire extinguisher
- Some cash
- Important documents
- Tools required for switching off utilities
In addition to the necessities, you will need some items for your comfort during your extended trip to the basement. Therefore, do not forget to pack extra clothes, blankets, bags, and costs. If you have children, also keep their stuffed toys and board games along with you to keep them distracted.
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Choose a Spot
Ideally, choose your basement’s center for the stay as it is the safest spot that keeps you protected against strong winds and flying objects that might hurt you. Preferably, look for a room without windows. In addition, consider the weight of the objects on the floor above you. Stay in a room that does not have any heavy-weight objects like pianos and refrigerators on the floor above it. Also, stay away from utilities and pipelines to avoid any calamities.
Conclusion
The city of Oklahoma lies in Tornado Alley. It might sound a bit unbelievable, but if you are living in Oklahoma, having a basement in your home can save you from tornadoes. So, make sure your OKC home has a solid foundation that is adequately waterproofed. Also, if you are planning to stay in your basement during the tornado season, make the necessary preparations and gather the essentials mentioned in the article for your prolonged stay.
