24/7 Emergency ServicePreventing Flood Damage by Preparing | SERVPRO of Reno Southwest
4/1/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Reno Southwest is ready to help in a moments notice after spring showers leak in to your home or business.
Sometimes it is necessary to take life back to the basics, especially when you need to get a task done right the first time. Teaching your child a new math problem, fixing a faulty appliance or tackling an issue at work can all be easier if you go back to the beginning and start with what you know.
The same holds true for home disasters and planning for severe weather. While we may have all the latest apps and gadgets in our homes, the basic tasks that you should be doing every season have a major impact on how your home is affected during a serious flood or water emergency.
Floods are one of the most common reasons for home damage, which is why it is crucial to prepare for severe weather ahead of time.
We often associate floods with Mother Nature, but that is not always the reason you wind up with water in your basement. Busted pipes, leaking appliances or other manmade disasters can be just as destructive as heavy rain.
Thankfully, manmade situations are often easier to recover from because they can be controlled in a more reliable manner. Floods that come from heavy rain or roof leaks are usually more destructive because we all know that we can’t control the weather!
We are thankful to live so close to the Truckee River, but its close proximity is what increases the risk of flooding for the homes, businesses and properties around it. Understanding your personal flooding risk can help you prepare for and prevent flooding situations from overwhelming your home.
Even if your property is not necessarily in a designated flood zone, it is crucial that you understand what happens to your yard when it rains. If you live in a low-lying area or have low spots around your property, taking preventive measures around your home can help immensely. Simple things like adding extra length to your downspouts can help move water farther away from your home, and adding a rain garden can help encourage water to move into a more productive part of your yard.
If your property has heavy tree coverage, investing in gutter covers can help keep yard debris out of your gutter system. You should also be getting up onto your roof after every storm to check for damage or missing shingles. Every basic task you do could end up having a profoundly positive impact on your home to prevent flooding emergencies.
Knowing about your flood risk is one thing, but taking action to prevent floods is crucial. Taking permanent steps to protect your home can help you stay dry no matter what conditions come our way.
Consider having your property evaluated for drainage and having it professionally graded to help keep the water away from your foundation. If you have a part of your yard that slopes toward your house, you can also add absorbing landscaping materials like mulch around your foundation to soak up any excess water.
Inside your home, check your windows and doors seasonally for any signs of wear and tear. Resealing windows or leaky door jambs can help your home stay moisture free. If you have a sump pump, be sure it is inspected regularly so you can rest easy knowing that it will work when you need it most.
Good things happen when you take life back to the basics. Incorporate these tasks into your spring weather preparations, but remember to call us if you do wind up suffering from any sort of home damage when the rain comes pouring in.
Do you have water damage in your home? Contact us at SERVPRO® for fast recovery.