Archive for water damage
Preventing Water Damage by Keeping Gutters Clean
Posted by: | CommentsOften, water damage to a home is not the result of flooding or leaky pipes—it’s the result of clogged gutters. Leaves and debris can cause your gutters to get backed up and clogged. When your gutters don’t properly drain water, it can potentially become a danger to the roofing, siding, and windows of your home.
It’s important to clean gutters to ensure proper drainage. If gutters get clogged up, they can create a number of problems for property owners including:
- Bent gutters
- Wood rot
- Foundation damage
- Excess pressure on gutters which can cause leaking or separation
- Erosion of landscaping
- Providing a home for rodents, pests, insects, mosquitoes, etc
While it may seem like a chore that you’d like to keep putting off, it is an important home maintenance step and one which should not be ignored. Your gutters are there to help you keep your home functioning smoothly. Don’t neglect to maintain them or you could find yourself having to shell out a lot of money in order to repair them. Do your house a favor: Keep your gutters clean.
Preventing sewer and drain losses
Posted by: | CommentsEvery year, sewer and drain backups cause millions of dollars in damage nationwide, many of which are not covered by homeowners insurance. In order to help prevent this from happening in your home, follow these tips:
- Make sure your drainage system is working properly
- Clean gutters at least once a year to prevent overflowing
- Make sure gutter spouts extend at least 10 feet away from the foundation so that water is carried far away from the home
- If your gutters connect to storm sewers, make sure the drain lines are kept clear.
- Consider installing an anti-backflow device to prevent water and sewage from backing up into the drain.
Even with these precautions, it is possible that one day you will experience water damage due to a sewer or drain backing up. In the event that happens, the first thing you need to do is remove any standing water as quickly as possible. The longer the water remains in your home, the greater the chance that molds may begin to grow and spread.
Contact a company that specializes in water damage restoration for the best solution. They will have the equipment necessary to pump out standing water and begin to dry the area as quickly as possible. By taking this action right away, you can minimize the amount of damage and save time and money.
Preventing Summertime Water Damage
Posted by: | CommentsEvery season presents its own set of challenges when in comes to preventing water damage. During the cold months, frozen pipes are a frequent source of flooding. Now that we have reached the warmer summer months, there are several things which could increase the possibility for water damage.
Summer storms, including hurricanes in the Atlantic states and monsoons in the southwest, bring with them heavy rainfall, high winds, and storm surges in coastal communities. These events can cause flooding as well as water damage from backed up storm drain systems and blown out windows and rooftops.
Flash floods, caused by slow moving severe thunderstorms, can result in water damage to homes in just about any area. Because they occur so quickly, the normal drainage systems are not able to keep up with them and the area becomes inundated with water.
Now is the time to check around your home for needed repairs and maintenance, such as checking all plumbing for leaks and making sure rain gutters are free of debris. Clogged rain gutters are the most common reason for water seepage under the roof or into the walls of your home.
If you experience flooding of any kind, the key is to act quickly to remove standing water and dry the area out as soon as possible. By using the services of a company which specializes in water damage restoration, you can help limit the amount of damage your home suffers and decrease the chance for mold growth.
Prep your home for summer and avoid water damage
Posted by: | CommentsSummer often means vacations, pool-side activities, playing in the sprinklers in the back yard, and many other hot weather activities. It can also mean a higher incidence of water damage, particularly if you have a pool in your yard or live in an area that experiences heavy summer rains.
The easiest way to minimize water damage of any kind is to identify it quickly and engage the services of a company that specializes in water removal and water damage restoration.
Here are some early warning signs that you may have water damage in your home:
- Look for water stains. Water leaking into a home will leave a trail; one that you’ll eventually see. Be especially observant in the bathroom around the tub and in the kitchen around the dishwasher and refrigerator.
- Find mold, mildew or stains left behind. These are obvious examples of water damage in your home and may be present even though you don’t have an actual leak. Check the ventilation in the room with the mold to ensure moisture can escape properly.
- Watch the floor for signs of buckling. If your floor appears warped in any area, water damage is the likely culprit.
- Check the drywall. Anywhere you find a buckled floor, check the walls. Drywall will be soft to the touch after exposure to water and will have a swollen appearance.
If you see any of these signs, don’t wait to take action. Left unchecked, water damage is one of the most pervasive types of damage that can happen to your home. Not only does it increase the chance of mold problems, it can inflict considerable damage on the foundation and building materials in your home.