Protect Your Home From Storm Water Damage
Whether it’s snow, heavy rain, or flood water, protecting your home from water damage goes beyond just having four sturdy walls and a well-built roof. The other half the battle has to do with the characteristics of the property around your home and how that could affect your house during extreme weather. Here are 5 tips to consider for protecting your home from stormwater damage:
- Check the grade of your landscape. All the landscaping around your home should gently slope away from the foundation. While this may seem obvious, over time soil can shift and settle, so it’s important to assess your property periodically to look for any changes that may allow water to more easily pool near the foundation.
- Install French drains. While it’s important to have unclogged rain gutters and downspouts, if the water isn’t directed far enough away from the foundation, you could still end up with water damage. Downspouts should ideally carry water at least 6 feet away from your home’s foundation, and a French drainage system can ensure that stormwater is carried even farther away to prevent potential damage. French drains are a simple way to protect your home, garage, or outbuildings, and the water can be directed exactly where you want it—such as to irrigate a garden.
- Plant trees or large shrubs. If your property is mostly flat and bare, adding large plants or trees can greatly reduce concerns over groundwater flooding your home. The tree roots will absorb large amounts of water and even the leaves will help by slowing the rate of water hitting the ground, allowing more time for the water to seep into the earth. Just be sure not to plant trees too close to your house, as the roots could penetrate pipes or even the foundation over time.
- Assess your driveway, walkways, and patio. If you have a concrete driveway or patio check that they don’t have a negative pitch leading toward your house. Standard concrete doesn’t allow water to pass through, so the water will drain in the direction of the pitch. If this is a problem around your home, consider replacing some of these areas with porous materials, such as permeable concrete or paving stones.
- Consider your sewer or septic system. The last thing you’d want during a storm is worrying if sewer water may back up into your home. If your home is connected to the main sewer system in your community and heavy stormwater is a threat, consider having a backwater valve installed by a professional. This valve only allows water to flow away from your home, so in the case of an overloaded city sewer system it will close off to protect your own sewer lines from backwater. Septic systems also may be a concern with heavy stormwater, so it’s vital to maintain the drain field and have the system inspected every few years to make sure it is working properly.
Give Water Extraction Experts A CALL if you’ve experienced storm damage!
If you have water damage caused by a storm, hiring a professional water extraction team like Water Extraction Experts can give you peace of mind that your home or business is in good hands. If you have broken windows, we can provide a board-up service.
We are equipped to guide you through the process of protecting your property and getting you back to your life as soon as possible.
We work directly with your insurance.
EMERGENCY 24/7 WATER, FIRE, STORM DAMAGE SERVICES
CALL: 970-581-4498 Northern Colorado
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