7 Tips to Prevent Spring Flooding in Your Home

Spring can be a welcome relief after a long winter of cold and snow. But it’s not always rainbows and butterflies, especially as warmer temps cause snow to melt in mass while also leading to rainier weather from up above. Before you know it, flooding is on the rise, and your home is at risk for water damage.

As you anticipate the blooming tulips and nesting robins, use the following tips to help strengthen your home’s fight against any spring flooding and rains the season sends your way.

1. Relocate snow: The closer piles of snow are to your home, the easier it is for it to melt and make its way into your home. Clear snow away from around the foundation and and move it to be at least three to five feet away from the exterior.
2. Check gutters and downspouts: When debris, such as leaves, sticks, and dirt, gets trapped in gutters, it can block the passage of water from flowing freely off of roofs and away from the home. Clearing out debris from both gutters and downspouts can help to prevent water from seeping into attics, walls, and foundations. If necessary, also add downspout extensions to ensure water is draining at least three to feet from the home’s foundation.
3. Inspect and mend foundation cracks: Water can get in more easily when there are cracks in the foundation. For minor repairs, fill cracks with a concrete patch. For bigger concerns, it’s best to bring in a professional to make sure your foundation is repaired in such a way that it acts as a waterproof barrier between the interior and exterior.  
4. Grade the landscape properly: If weather permits, regrade landscaping surrounding your home to make sure water drains away from the home instead of toward it. If necessary, pull plant material and add more soil where needed.
5. Install and maintain sump pumps: Sump pumps help to send water away from the home in areas such as basements and below-grade rooms that tend to flood more easily. If you don’t already have one, consider installing a sump pump or investing in a more portable version. If you already have a sump pump, inspect it to make sure it is in good working order and is clear of debris.
6. Cover window wells: Installing window well covers not only allows for natural light in below ground rooms but also prevents melting snow and rain from making its way into the home.
7. Home inspection: Bring in a skilled professional to investigate your home in more depth than you might feel confident doing on your own. A professional will be able to specify vulnerabilities where water damage could occur as well as provide recommendations on how to mediate any concerns.

 The unfortunate truth is that water damage can happen no matter what measures you take to reinforce your home. In the event of flooding, equip your home with tools to help you quickly respond to any potential water damage, including: a generator, a wet/dry vac, fans, contact information for professionals in your area, and National Flood Insurance, should your community participate.

Lamunyon Water Damage Services: Restoration, Cleanup and Repair

Whether you have a flooded basement, malfunctioning dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator or water heater, a sewer line break or backup, a toilet or sink overflow, or a broken or leaky pipe, it’s very important to call a water damage professional, such as Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair, who can stop the water source, start water removal and structural drying before toxic mold begins to grow, and to begin the process of water damage repairs and reconstruction so that you and your family or business can get back to normal as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse it gets and the more that the process costs in time and money. If you have a water problem, call us now!