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Severe weather is almost guaranteed during these cold winter months, such as rain, sleet, and snow. With these large influxes of moisture and flooding, water damage is sure to come along, especially if you are unprepared. Heavy rains or thawed snow can lead to excess water overflowing in streams and rivers, causing flooding. The yard and basement can also flood from the ground being unable to absorb all of the water coming down. Flooding can bring a load of problems, including damaging property and personal items, causing mold growth and water damage.
Because there are so many problems that can come with this severe weather, it’s essential to be prepared for the outcome of flooding if the event arises. There are several ways to manage stormwater runoff and prevent damage.
Before a storm hits, you must check several spots in your home to ensure they are sealed off properly. Water damage cannot come to a properly sealed home from outside water. Caulk is a great product to waterproof any home. The most notable places to check if they are properly sealed are ceilings, basement floors, door frames, and windows. Check all of these places to guarantee that they are properly sealed and that no water can leak through. One missed hole can lead to a leak in the home, which can cause water damage that may not be discovered until irreparable damage has been done. The roof will also need to be checked for holes and other damage. If anything isn’t sealed correctly, be sure to reseal the sections as necessary for a secure home against water damage.
Gutters play a pivotal role in keeping water damage away from home. They are a simple system attached to the exterior to carry rainwater from the roof and away from the structure. However, if they are clogged, they cannot carry out the task they were designed for. Clogged gutters can direct water into your basement, resulting in floods and water leaking into the foundation. This flooding may cause cracks in your home’s foundation which will shift the structure of your home and undermine its stability in the long run. Additionally, trapped water will rot the boards the gutters are mounted to, allowing moisture to enter your home and causing water damage to the ceiling and walls.
Flooding can be inevitable in some areas, and because of that, it’s important to prepare by installing tools to drive water out of the home, such as a sump pump. This piece of equipment is installed in the basement in a shallow pit. In the event of a flood, when the shallow pit fills with water, the pump will push the water back out of the house through some tubing. This device can be an incredibly helpful backup to transport water out of the basement efficiently. Another system that can be installed much more straightforwardly is a drainage plug. This would be installed on the basement floor, essentially like a shower drain. It utilizes gravity to get the water out of the home.
It’s important to know when to call a professional. Though you can take all the preventative measures to heart, sometimes life just happens. Water damage may make it through even when you are careful and take the necessary precautions. Because of that, professionals at Bostonian Cleaning are readily available to undertake water damage cleanup and bring your home back to the way you know it best.
