Spring is finally here, and the weather is warming up. It’s a lovely time of the year, but it brings problems with it as well. One of the biggest problems for your home is the increase in the rain that can come in springtime. Spring rains not only come more frequently than rain during the rest of the year but can be quite heavy as well. This means your home has a higher risk of water damage.
In fact, spring is the most likely season for water damage to occur in. So it’s important to be prepared for this risk. You can’t entirely eliminate your risk, but there’s a lot you can do to reduce it. So we are going to discuss some things you can do to protect your home from water damage this spring.
Inspect Your Foundation for Cracks
When people think of rain entering a home, they typically think of a leaky roof. But this isn’t the only way rain can enter your home. Heavy spring rains can also enter your home through your basement and damage your home’s structure. Unfortunately, it can also cause a lot of moisture in your basement, which can increase the chances of mold and mildew growing there. If this problem becomes serious, you may even need expensive mold remediation. However, you should be able to prevent this problem by identifying any cracks in your foundation and having them repaired, thus preventing water from seeping into your basement.
Maintain Your Gutters
Your gutters are an important part of your house. They keep water from building up around your home. But, gutters frequently get clogged with branches, leaves, dirt, and other items. If they’ve been seriously neglected, you may even see plants growing out of them. It is essential for you to clear any items from your gutters and clean them out. You want to make sure that water can easily flow through them, thus keeping water away from your building. This is important because you don’t want water seeping into your home, causing water damage and mold problems.
Purchase a Sump Pump or French Drain if Necessary
In some areas, it is not unusual to find water pooling up in the yard, possibly near your house. This can particularly be a problem during spring with the heavy rains. So, you may need to take special steps to keep water away from your home. This may mean purchasing a sump pump or french drain. These devices can direct water from your home or yard to a different area.
A sump pump will actually pump water out of an area, such as a basement, and then direct it to a well or drain. However, this device runs on electricity, so it could go out during a storm. Also, with a device that deals with water running on electricity, it is essential to install a ground fault circuit interrupter on the outlet you will be using in order to prevent electrocution.
A french drain is a ditch dug in our yard that will have a slotted or perforated pipe in it that will be covered by gravel. This will direct the water away from the area of your choice, such as your driveway or basement.
Final Thoughts
Spring increases the risk of water damage in your home, which can increase the chances of mold developing as well. But, by following these tips, you can reduce the chances of water entering your home and reduce the likelihood of water damage or mold problems occurring.
Contact Us
For more information on preventing water damage or for help with restoration, call us at 1-800-847-0114 or connect with us on Facebook.
