Protecting Your Property From the Threat of Spring Flooding

5/5/2014 (Permalink)

Reprinted from the Spring 2014 CAI - LI Chapter Newletter

By Deborah Rashti, VP of Marketing for SERVPRO of GN/PW

This was some winter!  And the deluge of water that fell from the sky the last day of April was another example of Mother Nature’s wrath.  While we count on spring showers to bring us May flowers, we do not take too easily to the flash flooding that sometimes accompanies it. Last month’s mudslide in Washington State that smothered almost an entire community is one of many examples of how dangerous spring flooding can be. 

When rainwater overpowers drainage systems, basements are easily susceptible to flooding.   Being proactive about keeping our gutter systems clear of debris is one of the simplest ways to minimize this possibility.  Depending upon the surrounding landscape, you may need to do this more than a couple of times a year.

 Unbenownst to most people, flushing gutters with hose water after removing leaves is a necessary step to make sure debris is completely removed. Since gutters need to hold a tremendous amount of water during heavy rains, the best time to see if they are working properly is 15 minutes after the downpour while it is still raining.

Overflowing gutters near a home’s foundation is not a good thing.  While it may not necessarily cause flooding in a basement, this overflow can cause erosion around your foundation that could lead to cracking of walls and ceilings.  Adding an additional spout or expanding the width of the spout can easily solve this.

While most of us do not like the esthetics of a spout that extends 10 feet from our home, it really is an excellent way to keep water away.  Depressions of soil around the foundation of our home can be a red flag that there is a water problem.  Catching this early can make a huge difference in the money you’ll save from avoiding a cleanup from flooding.

Don’t discount the risk of flooding coming from your sprinklers either.  Not only do we not want sprinkler heads pointed at our home, but we also do not need more water after a significant rain.  Adding more water to an already saturated property is opening yourself up to potential problems.    Rain gauges serve an important purpose for our sprinkler systems and having them checked annually is in our best interest.

In the event that water is penetrating our basement from a source that lies below ground level, you will need an experienced waterproofer who has an excellent reputation.  This is a tricky problem as hydrostatic pressure can push water through hairline cracks for a multitude of reasons.  You need a good diagnostician to identify why the water is coming in and what is needed to correct the problem.  Don’t even think about putting your basement back together BEFORE this is worked out. 

As with anything, proper maintenance is key to minimizing costly repairs later on.  As opposed to pipe breaks, basement’s flooded by rainwater is generally NOT covered by homeowners insurance.  The amount of money involved in getting your basement back to pre-existing condition can be costly.  Simple steps to maintain your home may require a commitment on your part, but may save you money in the end.

While it is hard to embrace our potential for flooding, keep in mind that much of the country is experiencing severe drought conditions and brush fires are a very real threat to their community. With careful planning,  we can mitigate the potential loss of flooding due to heavy rains.  Enjoy those spring flowers that we have waited so long to see.