When Rain Causes Water Damage
While we don’t experience annual monsoons, the ample rainfall here in Georgia can lead to trouble inside your home. Excessive rain can cause considerable damage when absorbed into porous building materials; it can flood basements, ruin foundations, and contribute to mold growth. Be aware of how rain can lead to water damage in your homes and what you can do to prevent it.
Common Sources of Water Entry
Water can quickly cause damage after even minimal rain. Many times interior water damage is not caused by flood waters but by water blown by the wind that somehow enters a structure, commonly called “wind driven rain”. Here are some areas calling for your inspection.
Roof Leaks: If there is any damage to the roof, rain can leak into the attic or upper floors and lead to structural problems to the walls and ceilings. You may also want to remove tree branches that are close to the roof because they could cause an area of the roof to fail.
Seepage: Rain commonly enters homes by seeping through cracks in the foundation. This is much more likely to happen if the gutters are not draining properly and rainwater gathers near the sides of the house. Too much seepage can begin to ruin the foundation.
Flooding: Excessive rain can lead to intrusion from the street or yard up into your home from the front door, garage and even sliding glass doors. Check the seals and drainage after every rain to identify potentially dangerous sites.
Parking lots and driveways: The large surface area collects a great deal of runoff and is designed to deliver it to a drainage system. Leaf litter, debris, ice, and garbage can clog or obstruct these drains and cause the water to collect or travel toward the building so regularly inspect all drains designed to handle runoff.
Prevention Tools
If you feel that your home is in a flood-prone area, here are three investments to help prevent flooding from rain:
Gutters
Well designed (and maintained) gutter systems and downspouts can effectively protect the home. Downspouts are designed to take the water from the gutters and carry it away from the building. One common issue is when they become clogged they cause the water to back up (or leak out of a seam.) During rainstorms, check the flow; is it running easily out of the downspout? If puddles are collecting it is a good idea to add an extender or dig a trench to ensure the water runs away from the building.
Landscaping
If certain areas in your yard consistently have standing water, there might be a problem with the pitch or angle of the grounds outside. If the ground is pitched toward the home, water will run back toward the building causing leaks and damage. So if the ground isn’t angled properly, drain tiles or other measures can be used to fix the problem.
Sump Pumps
Basement pumps are a great way to remove excess water that collects beneath a building. These devices act as a last line of defense against seepage in the basement. Since they rarely come into action, it is often easy to forget to routinely inspect and test them. Make sure to annually check that the sump pump is plugged in and functional. Consider a sump pump with a backup generator that will kick in if your neighborhood loses power.
When You Suffer From Mother Nature
Professional disaster recovery companies like Champion Cleaning Systems repair and prevent damage from excess water: both nature and human causes. State-of-the-art detection equipment locates hidden moisture in order to limit structural problems and future mold growth. The team provides critical services and tools to handle basement floods, appliance leaks, sewage backup, and more. With Champion Cleaning Systems, you can always expect:
- TES – World’s Fastest Drying System & Water Extraction
- Deodorization and Disinfection
- Industrial Grade Dehumidifiers & High-Speed Air Movers
- IICRC Certified in Water Damage Restoration
- Documented Drying Process
To schedule a cleaning appointment in Sharpsburg, report an emergency or discuss moisture in your home, please call 678-974-1151 or visit championcleaningsystems.com .
