How to Avoid Flood Damage from a Storm
Maryville, WA, receives more rain than the national average, and some storms are extreme enough to cause significant flood damage that requires flood restoration services. Though water removal and restoration companies help property owners restore their buildings after a flood, people can take steps to reduce the risk of interior moisture damage. These tips can help in the prevention of flood damage.
1. Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are vital systems that help rainwater flow off the roof and away from the building’s foundation. Clogs can develop in them from leaves, dirt, twigs, and other debris, forcing water to flow over the gutters and fall down the side of the house. Without clear gutters and downspouts, property owners could experience flood damage on the building’s lowest level.
It is best to inspect and clean gutters at least twice a year. The inspection identifies clogs, which the examiner can remove.
2. Remove Debris from Storm Drains
Storm drains can also collect excessive debris over time and form blockages. If a clog is present, heavy rainwater will not have another way to drain away from the property if the primary drains are full or blocked. These drains require periodic cleaning to ensure that they are free of trash, leaves, and other materials.
3. Prepare the Sump Pump
The basement is the most vulnerable room for flood damage because the water flows downward. Depending on the house’s position on the local water table, a sump pump can help remove water that would otherwise seep into the basement. The equipment also works for crawl spaces under a house.
If the basement or crawlspace does not have a sump pump, consider installing one before the upcoming rainy season. If the property has an existing sump pump, inspect and clean it.
The pump works by pulling up water that accumulates in a plastic basin buried in the basement floor or crawlspace. After inspecting the sump pump, pour water into the pit to ensure that the equipment pumps water into the drain line and disperses it away from the building. The drainage pipe should be on sloped ground for optimal drainage.
4. Check Window Wells
Buildings that have basements with window wells are vulnerable to leaks and floods. Protect the basement by waterproofing ground-level window wells. An example of waterproofing is creating window well drainage that forces leaks to flow to the building’s perimeter drain outside or a sump pump in the basement.
Another way to prevent flood damage from a leaky window well is to use window covers. These covers are leak-proof and bolt into place to prevent rainwater from seeping through the windows.
5. Inspect Foundation for Cracks
Foundation cracks can also cause water from storms to infiltrate the building through the basement and compromise the property’s structural integrity. An annual foundation inspection will alert the property owner about foundation holes and cracks. The damage may be repairable using vinyl concrete patching.
Water Damage Restoration from DK Environmental
Despite anyone’s best efforts, flood damage from storms can still occur. However, the water damage restoration professionals from DK Environmental offer exceptional flood cleanup services to residents throughout Marysville, WA, and the surrounding communities. The company provides 24/7 assistance, and the certified technicians utilize a time-tested process to restore any property.
David Talamantes
DK Environmental
425-903-4356