City advises on crawl space and basement flooding

Since Jan. 1, Carson City has received approximately 10 inches of rain, varying slightly by location. The average rainfall for the entire year for Carson City is just under 12 inches. With heavy rainfall and runoff, the soil around a structure’s foundation can become saturated. Carson City officials are offering some advice on this matter.

“This groundwater can cause problems in your crawlspace or basement as the water from the surrounding soil pushes against the walls of your foundation and finds a way in,” the city’s water division said in a press release. “If you are experiencing water in your crawlspace or basement, installing a sump pump will help remove this water. Be sure to discharge the water into your yard away from your foundation or to the curb and gutter or roadside ditch, where it can enter the city’s storm drain system. Never pump water into your toilet or bathtub where it will enter the sanitary sewer system.”

Local water experts advised homeowners to check their own gutter system for clogs.

“Downspout extensions can be installed to discharge water away from your foundation,” reads the release. “Check to make sure your structure’s foundation does not have cracks that allow water to enter the crawlspace.”

City representatives said they explored state and federal assistance programs for property owners with crawlspace and basement flooding but couldn’t find any programs.

“There may be some help in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters if you do not have flood insurance and the losses are greater than 40 percent of the value of the home or business,” reads the release. “If you have flood insurance and are experiencing flooding in your crawlspace or basement, you can make a claim.”

For information, email Carson City Water Utility Manager Edmund Quaglieri at equaglieri@carson.org. Those interested in obtaining flood insurance can visit www.floodsmart.gov.