It's springtime in northern New Hampshire, which means finding water in my basement as the ground thaws and the rain moves through. The sump pump is the real MVP this time of year and always seems to do its job and clear out the water as it makes its way in. I recently came across a TikTok someone posted about their first experience owning a home in early spring in New England, and it involved a wet basement. They were panicking in the video, and although finding water in the basement of my house isn't my favorite experience, it's one I've come to terms with as long as it's not excessive and the sump pump is taking care of it.

I opened the comments to see what people were saying, and one in particular caught my eye. This person said they were currently house hunting and always schedule house tours only while it's raining or right after. Their logic made sense: If there are places where water is coming into the house, it will be obvious when it's raining, and less obvious when it's not.

Rainy days can tell you a lot about a house, not just in the form of leaks from the roof or elsewhere, but they can give you information about areas around the home as well. Take note of any pooling water in the yard, if gutters are cleared and functioning properly, as well as any musty or mildewy smells in the house or basement.

Alternatively, if you are preparing to sell your home, it's important to evaluate how the house holds up during less favorable weather and address any major concerns or issues prior to listing your house.

So many old New England homes were built with basements to withstand the severe cold in the winter and serve as root cellars and safe storage for utilities. Now to many—sometimes myself included—they can feel like more of a nuisance than a desired feature in a home. I have accepted this as just part of my house, however, and assess it as needed. Thankfully, my sump pump continues to chug along and do what it is intended to do. If nothing else, a bit of water in the basement this time of year is the sure sign that winter is making its exit, and the warmer weather is finally here to stay.

Paige O. Roberts has a degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Henniker Review, Sidereal Magazine, Rejection Letters, and Cypress. She has been nominated for a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize. She lives in northern New Hampshire, where she owns and operates a pet boutique called Tailswag.