After winter ends and spring comes around, you may experience water damage in your home or business. Spring water damage can be caused by weather, flooding, or built-up moisture. You may want to check if your insurance policy covers spring flooding caused by thawing or backed up sewers as these can be common causes of water damage for home and business owners in the spring.
The best way to get around spring water damage is to prevent it. Here are some ways to prevent water from damaging your home this spring:
Prevent Water Damage by RestorationMaster
Keep Your Important Possessions Safe
Always keep your valuables and possessions in a safe place such as a safety deposit box or a safe on an upper level of your home. You should also always keep a list of these valuables. Some examples include:
- Insurance policy and contact info for the agent.
- Inventory of household possessions including photos, receipts, and serial numbers. If you have jewelry or artwork that are valuable, make sure to get appraisals for them.
- Any documents that cannot be replaced such as personal or financial documents or family photos.
Keep Water Out of the Basement
The basement is the most commonly flooded area of a home. This can especially be a problem in the spring when the frozen ground thaws. These steps will help prevent significant water damage in the basement:
- Store any valuable items at least a few feet off the floor so that they can be safe in case of flooding.
- Make sure that you have a functioning sump pump in your basement to keep any water out during a storm. The sump pump must be regularly cleaned and maintained so that it can work well during heavy rains or flooding. Also, if possible, you should install a water alarm so that you are notified if any water collects in the basement.
Maintain Your Gutters
You should clean your gutters regularly as they collect dirt and debris that prevent the water from draining properly. Clogged gutters will overflow and cause water to run down the side of your home and collect around the foundation. Cleaning out your gutters will protect your siding and foundation from water damage. You can also get gutter guards that will keep any large pieces of dirt, tree branches, or leaves out.
Inspect Doors and Windows
Check for leaks around your doors and windows. If you feel a draft, that means that water can also get into your home. You should ensure that all doors and windows are properly sealed so that they can keep water out in case of heavy rains or flooding.
Keep Your Exterior Walls Sealed
All your exterior walls should be sealed and painted. Also, use caulk to close any gaps and waterproof them. If you have any cracks in the foundation, you can use concrete patches to fix them.
Anchor Fuel Tanks
If you have a fuel tank on your property, make sure that it is permanently anchored. In the case of flooding, you want to make sure to keep water and fuel from mixing as this can become a major hazard.
Keep Your Landscaping Simple
Make sure to plant bushes and trees far away from your home so that roots do not became an issue for your drainage system. Also, make sure to cut any loose branches or dying trees so that you can prevent damage to your home.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
The roof is a very important part of your home as it helps protect it from the elements like rain. However, wear and tear to the roof can cause damage which leads to leaks, and excessive rain can cause water damage to the roof which compromises its integrity. You should inspect your roof regularly to make sure that there is no water damage or leaks.
Water Damage Should be Handled by Professionals
Water damage in your home or business can be dangerous as it can cause serious structural damage as well as other issues like mold, electrical damage, chemical leaks, and much more. These situations should be left for professionals to handle.
Make sure to reach out to our technicians at ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning if your home or business is affected by water damage or flooding this spring. We offer complete water damage restoration services to homes and businesses affected by flooding and water damage in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas. We remove the excess water, dry out the area, and restore your home or business back to its original state.
For more about the services we offer, give us a call at (800) 303-5844. We are available 24 hours a day to provide emergency water damage restoration services to limit the spread of the water and prevent additional damage including structural damage and mold growth.
