Soon the weather will start to get warmer, tulips will open up and birds will start singing again. These are sure signs that spring is starting to show itself in the Kansas City area. However, the arrival of spring usually comes with strong storms and these could cause floods or various kinds of water-related harm to your house or underground space. If you prepare in advance for storms, your house can stay protected against natural elements. So we’ll give you some Sage advice on how to shield your home from water damage and keep it dry when spring weather becomes turbulent.
Inspect Your Gutters
Please make sure to inspect your gutters and downspouts for any clogs or damage or see if they’re sagging. They need to gather the rainwater properly and channel it far from your home. When they get blocked or damaged, water can’t drain correctly from your house. This can lead to water accumulation in your yard and possibly damage the house’s foundation.
A roof covering an area of 1,000 square feet will release approximately 620 gallons of water during a one-inch rain. If this water spills over due to clogged or damaged gutters, it can accumulate near the foundation of your home and gradually cause erosion. So verify that there are no leaves, sticks, or various trash blocking the entry of your downspouts so water can flow properly.
Ensure also that your downspout extensions are directing the water sufficiently far from the foundation of your home. For a cleaner look, install underground drainage pipes that connect with pop-up emitters.
Protect Your Basement from Flooding
Do you know that in Kansas City, 85% of homes have full or partial basements? Of these, nearly 98%, will eventually report at least one claim for water damage.
Basement water damage occurs during spring storms for several reasons:
- water flows towards your house and not away
- poor weatherproofing
- improper drainage system
- clogged gutters
- broken sump pump
When spring arrives, it’s a good time to clear out the trash and leaves that have accumulated over the year in window wells and drainage systems below ground level. Additionally, make sure that drains located close to steps and entryways are functioning properly. Dome-shaped covers on drains offer better protection by preventing trash from blocking the drainage.
A sump pump is a machine you use to drain water and protect your basement from groundwater. It collects surplus water coming from the soil near your home or rainfall, then transfers it outside away from your house. Inspect and maintain your sump pump by taking the following steps:
- Unplug the pump and examine it for rust or corrosion.
- Clean the pump inlet screen.
- Remove any debris.
- Place the pump back in position, plug it into electricity, and pour five gallons of water into the hole to test if the float switch properly activates and deactivates the pump.
- Ensure the pump’s external discharge pipe is clear of any debris or plants that may be obstructing it. Take away any trash so that it functions correctly.
Consider getting additional insurance for situations when the sump pump fails and causes water backup. It will result in a slightly increased premium, but it provides better protection which can help you feel more relaxed during heavy rains.
Despite your efforts to avoid it, water damage can happen. It could come from storms in the spring or different reasons and this problem can seem hard to manage. If it does, call the specialists for water damage at Sage Restoration in Kansas City. Many insurance agents and plumbers recommend us to remove all traces of water damage in homes and businesses like yours.
