Water damage can lead to a lot of stress for homeowners. It can develop slowly with frequent rain and end up as extensive damage that is expensive to repair. Moisture has the potential to cause structural damage with serious consequences.
Water damage should be tackled without delay as prolonged exposure to moisture worsens the extent of the damage. Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction provides water damage restoration services in Prairie Grove, Illinois. In this article, the company gives information on how frequent rains can cause water intrusion that results in water damage.
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Heavy or frequent rain can cause damage like flooded basements, weakened foundations, and mold growth. Water damage will depend on the construction materials, the location of the house, and the state of repair of the house. It would be beneficial for homeowners to know how rains can cause water damage to homes. This would help them take steps to prevent water damage and to be prepared to face water damage after rains.
How Frequent Rains Lead To Water Damage
Basement Flooding
After heavy or frequent rain, the soil gets saturated with water. This water in the soil can get pushed by hydrostatic pressure through cracks in the basement wall or floor. This can lead to flooding of the basement. When the basement floods there can be damage to electrical panels, appliances, and any objects stored in the basement. Mold growth can also result from moisture in the basement.
Roof Damage
If gutters are blocked or installed improperly, rainwater can collect in various spots of the roof. The roofing material deteriorates and over time weak points can develop in the roof. Roof leaks can then occur causing water to enter the attic or upper floors.
Faulty Seals
If the caulk, flashing, and roof cement that seal chimneys, skylights, and plumbing vents are not proper. The sealing can expand, dry out, and erode which allows water to enter the house when it rains. To prevent such water damage, all sealing must be inspected annually and repair or replacement done as needed.
Cracks In The Foundation
The foundation of a home can develop cracks if rainwater can accumulate around a building. This can happen if the water does not drain away because land grading is not done properly or if downspouts are not positioned correctly.
Sewer Backup
Sewage systems are designed to remove water and waste away from homes. When rainfall is incessant or heavy, it can overload the sewage system with water. This can result in blockages, overflowing, and backflows. Sewage backups are complicated to clean as they are highly contaminated. A professional water damage restoration company is equipped to handle such water damage. They are trained to handle contaminated water safely and have expertise in using specialized equipment to conduct the water damage restoration process efficiently.
Steps To Prevent Water Damage After Rainfall
- Keep gutters clean and clear all leaves, twigs, or other debris. This can be done several times a day.
- Keeping surroundings like patios and door wells free of debris will prevent exterior drains from getting clogged.
- Reducing the amount of foliage around the foundation will promote airflow and prevent moisture that promotes mold growth.
- Roof maintenance must be done regularly with regular roof inspections so that timely repair work can be done.
- The caulk and flashing around windows and doors must be maintained well to prevent water from seeping through gaps or cracks.
- Rain barrels can be used to collect rainwater and prevent it from saturating the soil near the house.
- Divert downspouts to ensure rainwater is carried away from the house so that it does not seep into the house and cause water damage.
- Swale ditches can be built to redirect water from downspouts to an area where water can be absorbed, like a rain garden.
- Bigger drains can be installed as they are less likely to clog drains and cause flood damage.
- Proper grading can be done to create a slope to drain water away from the home.
- Sump pumps can be installed to drain excess water from beneath a home and pump it away through a discharge pipe.
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