Preparing For Spring To Avoid Water Damage

Though winter brought us beautiful blankets of snow, it can cause significant damage now that the weather is starting to warm up. Even an inch of snow can generate an uncontrollable amount of water when melted. If this water accumulates in your home's foundation, you will be looking at a flooded basement. With winter ending, you can expect the snow to start melting rapidly. With the combination of melting snow and spring showers, preparing your home to prevent flooding is essential.

Water Damage – Wickliffe

When protecting your property, flooding and water damage are typically afterthoughts – if you even think about them at all. However, water damage to property can be expensive and frustrating, harming not only the home but also possessions and the well-being of the people inside. Like most unforeseen events, it's not until water damage actually happens that you realize it pays to plan ahead. With spring coming, here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid spring flooding.

Inspect The Roof

Leaky roofs are one of the most common causes of water damage every year, especially in rental properties. It is an easy step to miss and can lead to some of the biggest problems. Roofs will begin to leak once their life expectancy (15-20 years) has been reached or it has been damaged by weather or falling debris.

To inspect it, hiring professionals to come out and look for any possible damage is recommended. As someone that is not seasoned in looking for roof damage, you may overlook small holes or cracks that could lead to leaking.

Gutter Care

Gutters are a huge preventative component outside of houses, as they are made to steer rainwater off the roof and away from the property. This measure cannot be used if the gutters are clogged with debris. You will need to clean them out often, at least twice a year, depending on the amount of wind and foliage around your property. Additionally, it is crucial that the downspouts are faced in the right direction, steering the water away from your home. The gutter's efforts are fruitless if the downspouts are not able to do the job they were designed for.

Seal Any Leaks

To ensure that no water makes it into the home, go around your home and guarantee that every crack or hole is filled. 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. In downspouts and gutters, they can be sealed with a waterproof sealant. You can check the roof, windows, and doors in your home. Windows will need to be re-caulked if necessary. You will need good door draft stoppers as well to stop both wind and rain from coming indoors. Inspect the roof as well to see if there needs to be any patching done to prevent leaks. Additionally, look for cracks or holes in the foundation. If you find anything, fill these in completely with concrete patching.

Even in low-risk areas, flooding can be a concern for every home, especially with snow rapidly melting. It's essential to understand how to prevent these to lower the possibility of water damage to your home. Fortunately, even if floods do happen to infiltrate your home, Pine Ridge Restoration is always available to assist with water damage. They will be able to bring your home back to its original state, taking the stress away that floods can bring.