Tips to Prevent Storm Water Damage to Your Home

Severe storms can occur in any season. As soon as the right weather is back, it may seem like a relief. However, the potential for water damage may be just beginning. Stormwater runoff can quickly overwhelm natural and human-made systems, leading to flooding and property damage. There are ways to prepare your home for these impending storms and here are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of damage to your home when severe weather strikes. In some cases, these steps can make all the difference between costly home repairs and no storm damage to your home at all.

Take a Look at Your Landscaping

It is best to keep all landscaping trimmed away from the roof at least 6 feet or more to prevent shingle damage from rubbing branches. Remove any dead wood by trimming trees regularly, which will help fewer branches fall in heavy wind. Also, you should clear your yard of any objects that could become airborne during the high winds that come along with severe storms; this will prevent damage to your windows. Secure outdoor items such as grills, picnic tables, and other lawn furniture. Decorations can cause harm to your home or be destroyed by the storm, so it is best to move them inside when you are aware a storm is coming.

Take a Look at Your Gutters

Your gutter system is supposed to channel water away from the roof and deposit it to a more friendly location. However, clogged gutters on the upper floors can cause water to backflow into the home, almost guaranteeing water damage will happen.

Gutter extenders on the ground floor help tremendously to protect your home as well. They make sure the water drains away from your home to prevent basement flooding. Keeping gutters clean and maintained can prevent expensive repairs from storm water damage.

Check Your Sealants

Leaking sealants is one of the leading causes of water damage from storms. You should check all roofing penetrations including stacks, skylights, and chimneys for decaying sealants and then make the needed repairs. Don’t stop there! Your roof is not the only area where faulty sealants can allow water inside your home; your windows, door, and siding can also be culprits. Use caulk, tar or even silicone to prevent storm water from leaking into your home.

Look Over Attic Ventilation

It may seem strange. However, attic ventilation is imperative to some forms of storm damages. In the winter months, snow and ice accumulate on your roof, and ice dams can form when hot attic air cannot properly ventilate through the top of the roof. Ice dams can be dangerous from ice falling icicles, but also cause water damage by allowing water to infiltrate your shingles, no matter what their condition. Our The Waterworks specialists can check your attic to ensure that your attic ventilation is in working condition before storm season hits.

Clear Your Utilities

There is not one person that likes having their power, cable, telephone or water go out during a severe storm. You can be better prepared against utility interruptions if you ensure that the lines connecting your home to the grid are clear from any nearby trees or shrubs that could fall over in heavy snow or high winds. Also, it is also a smart idea to have a backup generator in your home just in case the electricity goes out.

Consider using surge protectors to help protect your home electrical system, appliances, and sensitive electronic equipment from the effects of lightning. Phone, satellite, cable and power lines should all be protected by surge protectors. When installed correctly, surge protectors can protect appliances and electronics, but also help prevent electrical fires.

Make Sure Your Sump Pump is in Proper Working Condition

Do you remember the last time your sump pump was checked? If not, take a look at your home’s sump pump. Raise the float and make sure it runs correctly! Check the battery and the backup one if necessary. If you are not sure what constitutes a proper working condition, our The Waterworks specialists can help! Just call the most trusted plumbers and service technicians in Ohio!

By following these tips, you can prepare for the storm season. Crossing off these checklist items can mean all the difference between expensive repairs or no storm damage at all!