Spring Showers

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Rain water can enter into your home through a damaged roof!

When It Rains It Pours

Rain water damage can be just as devastating as fire damage. The water damage that rain can cause is one of the costliest repairs to a home due to its devastating effect on foundations and contribution to mold development. It’s almost like a domino effect. At SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia, we want to ensure the safety of your home and family.

How do I protect my property from rain damage?

Check Everything:

It’s easy to forget about your roof since you hardly ever get on it. But, it is important to remember that rooftops are the primary structure that keeps rainwater from entering a home. A damaged rooftop can cause water damage inside your home, so check all aspects of the rooftop and ensure its construction is not damaged in any way. Even a tiny opening is enough space to allow leakage in your home or business.

Make sure all gutters are cleaned regularly. It is important to direct downspouts away from the house, and hopefully the slope of your yard should be directed away from the foundation to ensure rainwater is directed away from the home and not into the foundation. Trees, hail, and other objects can create weaknesses that might lead to leaks in your roof, so check for missing shingles and other issues. Because trees can fall during a rain storm, cut off branches that are dangerously close to a home’s rooftop. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed also.

Why check your chimney and sump pump annually:

Two things that allow rain damage if they fail are a home’s chimney and sump pump. For those who don’t know what a sump pump is, it’s a pump used to remove water. If you have a sump pump, it should be inspected by a professional annually. Not only that, but your sump pump should also be checked visually and operationally more often during long periods of heavy rain or more extraordinary climates, like hurricane seasons. 
Chimneys should also be checked to ensure bricks have no gaps and are tightly sealed. To prevent water damage in your home, bricks should be waterproofed to ensure water and moisture is not absorb from the outside. It is a good idea to install a chimney cap prior to the stormy season to prevent rainwater from coming in at all.

Then What Do I Do?

If your home received water damage you should call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia to come help restore your home back to normal. (601) 823-1100