With the first day of spring on March 19th, we thought it was a great time to talk about inclement weather. While 200 million people were considered high-risk for spring floods in 2019, about 14 billion people suffered losses of more than $14 billion in flood damages. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming spring flooding, including water and damage restoration service.
What Causes Spring Flooding?
In the United States, three-quarters of our water supply comes from ice and snowmelt. One cubic foot of snow equates to about 7.4 gallons of water. When temperatures begin to warm, the snow can produce fast-moving rivers, streams, and lakes, causing the run-off to rise too quickly. This process causes excess water to overflow onto the banks. During the spring, thunderstorms are also likely to add to the mix of weather-related events causing severe spring flooding to occur.
How Do Basements Flood?
When fast-moving spring rains or snowmelt is too heavy for your drainage system, it typically overflows in your yard. The rainwater naturally looks for escape routes. Usually, it is in the form of saturated earth under foundations or through porous building material, which is why it is very easy for basements, ground-floor buildings, or crawl spaces to flood. When flood levels begin to rise, it is also possible to enter your home through foundational cracks, doors, and windows
How To Prepare For Spring Flooding
- Clean Your Drainage System
The most likely culprit for a flood is an improperly installed or cleaned drainage system, so you will want to start on your roof to remove debris and then clean out your home’s gutter system. This step will remove all the debris that typically causes water to clog. You should also check the pipes to ensure they are open and able to move rainwater appropriately. You should also ensure the pipes can carry the water at least four feet from your home’s foundation as that will stop free-standing water from rising in your yard.
- Inspect The Foundation
Porous building material includes brick, concrete, sandstone, and limestone, which means that its pores are big enough for water to infiltrate. That is why most buildings are prone to flooding at some point. Upon inspection, you may be able to identify porous material since rotting, corrosion, rising damp, and mold is possible when any moisture is present.
- Install A Sump Pump
If you have a basement or lower-lying home, it is a smart idea to install a sump pump to prevent water from pooling. It will reduce the likelihood of water damage during storms.
- Prepare A Safety Kit
Ready.gov advises Americans to prepare for emergencies by making a safety kit including a first-aid kit, one gallon of water per family member, a three-day ration of non-perishable food, an NOAA Weather Radio, extra batteries, and a flashlight. It is also advised to prepare a ready-to-travel bag, including copies of important documents, must-have medication, and two changes of clothing in case you need to evacuate in a hurry.
- Check Your Insurance Coverage
You should always know the limits of your insurance policy. In case of an emergency such as a flood, you want to know what to expect once you can return to your home. Does your insurance cover water and fire damage restoration? If not, you may want to add the addendum to your insurance plan to have it in place before the spring storms hit.
If you find that you need disposal and cleanout service or water and fire damage restoration, give us a call at (781) 941-2422 or send us a message at https://www.facebook.com/abhservices/.