How to Keep Melting Snow From Getting Into Your Basement

Inspect the outside of your home at least once a day during a snowstorm or periodically during the winter when the likelihood of snow is high. Sweep away any snow sitting in the window wells of the basement, pushing the snow back into the yard.

Break off any icicles forming on or near basement windows. Icicles occur as water drips down the house and freezes in place. Once the temperature rises, the ice melts and the water seeps through the windows.

Adjust the downspouts and drains, especially any drains close to basement windows. Move the downspouts so that the bottoms face away from the basement and out toward the yard. When the downspouts face the windows, any melted snow or water pushes up against the windows.

Examine the inside of your basement, looking for any cracks in the walls. Fill those cracks with waterproof caulk, like the type used for swimming pools. The caulk expands inside the walls and stops the moisture from seeping inside the basement.

Check the exterior walls surrounding the basement frequently during the winter season. When you see ice dams or a buildup of ice, gently chip the ice away with a chisel and hammer. Gather the broken ice pieces together and move them away from the basement, which keeps the ice from melting inside your home.