The Dark Water Rises

6/18/2020 (Permalink)

flooded basement

Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during heavy rains, when the snow melts too fast, or when rivers overflow. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

How Does Rain Water Enter a Home?

Rainwater can seep into your home from cracks in your foundation – large or small, windows that are not sealed correctly and landscaping that is sloped toward the home.

Make sure all your concrete – driveways, sidewalks, patios and walkways slope either away from the house or into a drain. Check to make sure that rain gutters are clean and working properly to carry rainwater away from your home. It is important that downspouts drain at least 10 feet from the foundation of your house. Clogged gutters can also lead to water spilling over the top and that water can end up directly on the foundation of your house.

Keeping an eye on your home inside and out can help with noticing potential problems and could save you thousands in water damage remediation.

Flood Damage Can Be Fixed

It is important to recognize the signs of flooding so that the water can be extracted and any further damage can be prevented. Rainwater flooding that is not taken care of quickly and efficiently can cause black mold (this can form within two days after flooding occurs), furniture damage (moisture seeps into the furniture, which provides an ideal habitat for mildew, mold and fungi), and damage to the ceiling tiles, drywall, and flooring.

If you have any questions, feel free to give our office a call and SERVPRO of North Clay County/Oakleaf/Middleburg will assist you in getting your home back to a point where it is "Like it never even happened."