24/7 Emergency Service
Steps to Take After a Heavy Storm
10/20/2021 (Permalink)
While Southern California isn't necessarily known for its rainy season, we have gotten a couple heavy storms within the past several years. Powerful storms can dump inches, sometimes even feet of water into your property, and can overwhelm your home even if you've properly waterproofed it.
Following a storm, here is what you can do to check for any possible water intrusion into the home:
- Check your crawlspace- excess water from heavy rain can infiltrate any cracks or weak points in your home's foundation. It is important to dry up the water as quickly as possible. If you are unable to remove the water, a specialist such as SERVPRO can assist.
- Check your flooring- water can seep through unsealed windows or pool under doorways, potentially soaking your carpet or wood flooring. If you find your carpet is wet, pull it up and remove any wet padding as that isn't salvageable. Wood/laminate floors soak up moisture, resulting in possible warping or damage that may require the flooring to be replaced. Try to mop up any standing water and open doors and windows for plenty of ventilation. If problems still arise, it would be a good time to contact a water restoration company.
- Inspect the attic- potential roof leaks can result in damage to the insulation and framing. Finished attics will have the same water damage issues as the rest of the home. Remove any wet materials if possible.
- Examine the walls- check the walls for stains or discoloration and bubbling or peeling paint. Sometimes baseboards will be swollen too. There could be a potential leak that a professional may need to inspect. Most of the time, wet drywall will need to be removed or replaced.
- Check your gutters and downspouts- standing water is your foundation's worst enemy. Check your gutters and make sure that they are clear of debris and that the openings to all downspouts are clear. Make sure that the water coming from the downspouts is directed away from the home and is not pooling at the base of the structure.