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Protecting Your Home From Intense Rain | SERVPRO® of Buffalo/Tonawanda
9/18/2023 (Permalink)
Water damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Buffalo/Tonawanda on the case!
While we certainly enjoy the warm sunny days that are abundant in the summer time here in the Buffalo area, we also appreciate a little rain from time to time. A gently falling rain on a lazy weekend can be relaxing as well as beneficial for our plants and lawns.
Not all storms are calm and gentle, though. Severe weather can be dangerous to us and our homes. While our homes are gratefully sturdy and can withstand the elements, sometimes rain still finds a way to sneak in anyway.
Our SERVPRO® of Buffalo/Tonawanda team wants you to stay cozy and dry while the rain falls outside, so we offer some tips for preparing for the rest of the summer storms below.
Rain can cause all kinds of problems in a short amount of time. Some rain storms come fast and furious to bring heavy rain and strong winds that blow off Lake Erie. The lake effect usually affects winter storms, but it can stir up more intense thunderstorms as well. This heavy rain can flood roads, overflow drainage ditches and even cause landslides.
While we cannot prevent situations like this from occurring, preparing early can help you avoid more serious damages to your property. Watch the forecast every day and start making plans as soon as a flash flood watch is issued or heavy rain is predicted.
As soon as a flash flood watch is issued, keeping your family safe should jump to your highest priority. If you are out running errands, pack up and head for home. Avoid any low-lying areas or roads that are notorious for flooding. If you are already home, start pulling whatever outdoor items you can into your garage and house. Lawn furniture, grilling equipment, child’s toys and even your car can be swept away with a minimal amount of water, so removing them from harm’s way is always ideal.
If your home is in a flood zone or you know that your property floods when it pours, move anything fragile or soft from the lowest levels of your home. Floods can ruin keepsakes, couches and chairs quickly. Seek higher ground and keep an eye on the developing situation. If water does make its way into your home, stay where you are until the water stops flowing in.
Mother Nature is unpredictable, and that’s what makes it hard to completely prepare for every weather situation. However, there are things to learn after every damage situation that you can use to prevent it from happening again in the future. For example, getting your lawn properly graded can help encourage any rain that does fall down and away from your foundation lines. This is helpful if you consistently find water in your basement after a storm.
Another investment we recommend is a sump pump. Sump pumps work by pulling water away from your basement and pumping it back up to the surface and away from your home. This can be a really helpful piece of equipment if you live in a low-lying area or near a marsh or pond.
Remember that our water damage restoration team is here 24⁄7 in case you run into trouble during the next summer storm. We will arrive quickly and will work on removing excess moisture, addressing repairs and sanitizing your space to prevent a mold infestation.
We are here for all of your water disasters. Contact us day or night for a quick recovery.