Springtime in many parts of the country is well known for stormy weather and tornado activity. Recent weeks brought massive rain, wind and hail storms throughout parts of the United States. These storms have proved destructive on many fronts, causing extensive property damage due to strong winds, heavy rains, flooding and overflowing storm drains.
Tornadoes are usually accompanied by brutal winds, hail and unrelenting rain. These storms damage roofs, skylights, trees, fences, buildings, and anything else that is in their way. Agile winds toss cars and trucks as though they are mere cardboard boxes. They hurl roof shingles off homes and let rain and hail cause wet carpets, ceilings, floors and furniture. Rainstorms flood basements and crawl spaces bringing about tremendous water damages and financial woes to property owners. The end results of tornadoes, massive winds and rainstorms are oftentimes pathways of destruction and disaster stricken communities.
Not all water devastation from these storms can be completely avoided. However, there are ways to minimize potential water damage in your home. Most importantly, homeowners need to know that regular home maintenance and storm preparedness are the first steps in property and personal safety. Although it is impossible to prevent wind and rain storms, it is possible to lessen the impact of water damage stemming from these storms.
Before the rainy season begins and after each significant wind, hail or rain storm, inspecting both outside and inside the home and making necessary repairs may determine how well the home fares in a future storm situation. Outside the home, checking the gutters to make sure they are not blocked with dried leaves and debris should be included in a basic home maintenance routine. Homeowners should examine the roof to ensure there are no loose or missing shingles. Roof inspection also includes checking the flashing around the chimney to make sure it is tight and will not let water leak in. In addition, the ground around the house should be sloping away from the home, otherwise rainwater will pool around the house, potentially damaging the foundation, causing flooding and water damage to occur. Cracks both externally and internally should be caulked and sealed well, to prevent water from seeping in.
Inside the home, checking and maintaining appliance water line connections, such as washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator hoses on a regular basis goes a long way toward minimizing the potential for water damages. Toilets, sinks, showers and bathtubs need to be regularly checked for leaks as well as mold discoloration and musty odors. Any discoloration on walls or ceilings must be investigated and attended to because it could be indicative of water leaks. Water heaters last an average of eight to twelve years. However, they may become rusty and may leak at any time, so a drain pan leading to an external outdoors drain is a must. In fact, calling a professional water damage restoration contractor to inspect the premises and offer advice and suggestions about necessary repairs is a wise and worthwhile investment.
Not all water damages from storms and flooding will be completely eliminated with a home maintenance routine, but regular care will certainly go a long way in most cases to decrease potential damage. Tornadoes and the massive wind, hail and rain storms that accompany them can cause tremendous damages to homeowners, towns and municipalities. Taking responsibility for one’s home will decrease many unpleasant storm and flooding scenarios. However, when faced with water damage emergencies, professional water damage restoration companies can remove, dry and clean up floods and repair the premises to pre-emergency condition.