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How To Avoid Spring Flooding in Your Home

Name: Exit Mold
Address: 1 Irwin Ct., Lynbrook, New York, 11563, United States
Telephone: (516) 512-7877

The spring season is such a fresh and exciting time of year. The snow melts, the sun shines brighter and the temperature finally starts to go up! Along with all the seasonal changes, however, the risk of flooding in your basement or in other areas of your home goes up as well.

The melting snow and increase in spring rain storms can cause serious problems for your home if you aren’t careful to prepare your property. While it is impossible to completely prevent water from infiltrating your home, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk significantly.

Let’s dive into how to avoid spring flooding in your home below.

Common Causes of Spring Flooding

In order to prevent your home from flooding, it’s important to know what causes it in the first place. Below are some of the most common causes of spring flooding.

Melting Snow

Our community experiences varying amounts of snowfall every winter, but every snowfall can have a serious impact on your home come springtime. As snow melts, it will run off your roof and down your gutters, and it will seep into the ground. If you have any sort of leak or crack in your foundation, all that water will wind up flooding your basement.

The same holds true for your roof! If your roof is missing shingles or your roofline is starting to sag, water can get inside your attic and then will leak down your walls.

Heavy Rainfall

The spring season is known for its intense rain showers, so keep a close eye on the forecast as the weather warms up. If rain is predicted, take the time to clean out your gutters and make sure your downspouts are on and pointed away from your home.

Ice Dams

Ice dams build up throughout the winter season. If you have poor insulation in your attic, snow that falls on your roof will melt when it comes into contact with your warm shingles. As the water runs down, it will freeze again at the edge as it cools against the freezing roofline. This ice will continue to grow on top of itself and will eventually push its way into your attic, where it will melt and cause extensive water damage.

Poor Drainage

When rain falls from the sky or snow melts on a roof, all that precipitation has to go somewhere! Your gutter system is designed to move water down and away from your home, but only if it is clean and set up properly.

The same is true for the grading in your yard. If your property slopes backward toward your house, the water will run down into your foundation. This problem can quickly overwhelm a sump pump and any flooding prevention methods.

Key Steps to Prevent Spring Flooding

Thankfully, a spring flood is largely preventable as long as you maintain your home and prepare ahead of any weather event. To start, you should prioritize cleaning your gutters and downspouts. Grab a ladder and a friend, and clear out debris from the entire system.

A single clog can back up your entire system, which can cause water to pool on your roof or pour over the side of your home, directly onto your foundation below.

You should also consider installing a sump pump if you don’t have one already. Sump pumps are designed to pull groundwater away from your home so your basement or lowest level stays dry. If you already have a sump pump, have it serviced every spring so you know it will work when you need it to.

A professional yard grading is also a great investment if you have dealt with flooding problems in the past. Soil is moved around your yard to ensure it slopes away from your home, allowing for the natural force of gravity to pull the water down and away.

Tips For Preparing For Spring Storms

While the above tips are essential for dry basements, you also need to prepare inside your home whenever there is rain in the forecast.

Waterproof Your Home’s Interior

Sealing your home is one of the most important things to do! Use caulk to reseal any weak points around your windows and doors, and be sure to close your windows before the storm arrives.

You should also take care to move any valuable items off the ground and store them in waterproof containers. Important documents and keepsakes should never be in an area of your home that is prone to flooding.

Be Ready For Anything

Spring storms can be unpredictable, so update your emergency contacts and have a plan of communication with your loved ones. Keep an emergency kit close by that has flashlights, a weather radio, and water. If you do end up suffering from a flood, you will need to prioritize your health and safety.

What To Do About a Flooded Basement

Unfortunately, even if you do all of the above, water is sneaky and can infiltrate your home without warning. If you come downstairs to a flooded basement or see water running down the walls in your kitchen, use extreme caution and avoid walking through any standing water.

Keep clear of the area and call a professional flood recovery team instead! In addition to removing the visible water in your home, a professional water damage restoration team has the tools and equipment to track down hidden moisture behind your walls and under your floors.

This thorough restoration ensures that no moisture is left behind that could cause a serious mold infestation or a dangerous rot situation. Water damage caused by flooding can be overcome as long as you act quickly!

The longer you wait to call for help, the worse your situation can become. The water can leak all over your home, making walls and floors unstable. It can even impact your electrical wiring, raising the risk of electrocution. Simply call the team at Exit Mold, and your flooded property will soon become only a memory.

Floods caused by the spring melt or a storm can be extensive. Call Exit Mold right away at (516) 512-7877 for a quick and efficient recovery.

Meta: Wondering how to prevent spring flooding in your home? These tips can help your entire home stay dry this season.

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