I wasn't prepared for the two feet of water that splashed around my ankles as I descended the basement stairs. Oh yes, it was truer than you can imagine. I watched as a box of soggy Christmas ornaments bumped up against the staircase and I remembered all the treasures now buried beneath the water we had planned to unpack the next weekend. The basement of our charming antique had a river running through it. Even if you have lived in your house and have a blissfully dry basement, Mr. Seirup says there are many reasons for a sudden leak, and February is a vulnerable time because it is the month when it snows the most.
Flooding can come from ice dams on the roof or in the gutters.
It can come when pools produced by piles of snow create dams where water can be trapped. Freezing and then thawing can cause broken pipes. Places that might not leak under normal conditions might leak in rain on frozen ground conditions. Don't be lulled by mild winters of the past. While there are long-term solutions that should be addressed when you have problems such as frozen pipes, ice dams or water pooling, there are some quick cures that can help you at least survive the winter.