Start With What You Know: Preventing Flood Damage

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to help in a moments notice after spring showers leak in to your home or business.

When you get stumped with a problem, how do you tackle the situation? Do you jump in without having all of the details or do you break it down to the basics to make sure you have all your bases covered?

Of course you take the time to make sure you are getting it right! This concept applies to all kinds of scenarios, but especially when it comes to preparing for and preventing home damage. Starting with the basics can help your home avoid some pretty significant damage.

Unfortunately, situations like floods can happen unexpectedly, so doing these tasks below right now will help keep your home dry and your family safe no matter what is in store for you this season.

Knowing the Zones in Detroit

Flooding is often associated with Mother Nature, but that isn’t always the case when water begins pouring down from your ceilings or leaking onto your floors. Flooding conditions can also happen when water lines burst in the streets or if your washing machine finally gives out mid-cycle.

Even though we live in a relatively urban area, we can still experience flooding situations due to the weather. Strong storms and high water levels in the waterways around us can cause trouble unexpectedly. Knowing the risk level for your own home can help you stay in control as the conditions change around us.

You should still be on high alert even if your property hasn’t necessarily flooded in the past. If you live in a low-lying area or your yard slopes even a little bit toward your house, you could wind up with water where you don’t want it. Extend your downspouts if you can, add extra drainage to your yard or consider adding a rain garden to help give all that water a more productive place to go.

If you live in a neighborhood with trees, check your gutter system regularly to remove potential leaf buildup and consider installing gutter covers to help keep that debris out of your system.

Further Prevention Tips

While it is important to know your home’s specific risk ahead of time, dealing with flooding issues can actually teach you about your home so you can take measures to prevent the flooding from happening again.

For example, if your basement door lets water in often, it would be worth having your yard evaluated to see if a professional grading can help encourage the water to flow somewhere else.

If one of your window panes gets wet every time it rains, you can address this issue easily with some fresh caulk to seal off any gaps. Finally, having your sump pump inspected regularly can help alert you to any emerging issues so you can address repairs before the next time it rains.

When you start with what you know, you can set yourself up for success no matter the season or weather situation. Enjoy the spring weather and give us a call if you are in need of any home damage repairs.

Do you have water damage in your home? Contact us at SERVPRO® for fast recovery.