Maybe it’s just us, but over the last few years it’s rained a lot more than usual, hasn’t it? Especially in the Midwest around where we’re located, it seems like each spring is heralded by a few days’ worth of pretty intense rain. While the occasional May showers aren’t bad (and can result in May flowers later in the month), too much rain in areas close to a river or sitting below sea level can lead to that ever-present danger of flooding. Don’t despair, though! There’s ways to prevent potential damage and loss through flooding by taking some proactive rain-proofing measures to secure your home, your basement, and your stuff from water damage. Read on for a few tips to keep your stuff safe from rainfall: Keep your roof, gutters, and downspouts free and clear. A common cause of home flooding is clogged gutters; even if the gutters are on the roof of your house, all that built-up water has to go somewhere. Clean out your gutters as often as possible to keep the water flowing where it’s supposed to!

Double-check for any cracks or leaks

It’s neither a fun nor particularly glamorous job, but one of the easiest ways for water to get into your basement is through leaks, cracks, and other little chips in the armor. The next time it rains, if you see anything starting to trickle into the basement or attic, track down the source of the leak and patch it up with caulk (or similar material depending on how your basement is set up). You’ll be happy you took the time to do it the next time the rains pass through.

Move your stuff somewhere high and dry

One of the biggest dangers of basement flooding is the idea of losing all the stuff that you store down there. A good way to help reduce some of this risk is to invest in some rust-proof wire shelving that can stand up to any water that makes its way into your basement while keeping your belongings safely up off the floor. Plastic storage bins can help keep your stuff dry, safe, and organized, and if you have any extra wall space you could consider some wall storage racks to keep bigger items high and safe.

Invest in a sump pump

It’s kind of a costly solution but it can help out big in the long run if you take the time to get it installed. Sump pumps work by essentially sitting in a small hole you dig in your basement to catch the flow of flood water and then pumping it to the outside of the house via a long hose. They’re a bit of a pain to get set up, but the next time the rain comes through you’ll be glad you did.

Consider some outside help

Housework isn’t for everyone, and there’s some problems that no amount of “do it yourself” articles can help with. If your basement is experiencing some more severe foundation issues that can lead to flooding (or worse) down the line, you might want to start calling some contractors in your area to see what they can do to help seal up the cracks and keep your house safe and dry. Hopefully with our advice you’ll be able to avoid the hassle and expense of replacing everything in your basement the next time the rains roll in!