Have you ever experienced leaking or foundation problems during a rain storm? Perhaps your basement leaks a bit or you find water sneaking in around the front door. This is a larger problem in areas where it does not rain all too much or in older homes, so going through ways to improve your home and to cut down on the potential for any rain and water related problems is helpful. Here is a list of ways for you to prep your home before a rain storm.

Sandbags Around the Doorway

For heavier rain storms, consider placing sandbags around the doorway. Generally, pile the sandbags up two to three deep in order to create a barrier. Many cities provide free sand and bags available for residents. Even if these are not available, it is inexpensive to pick this up, so if you have any sort of leaking around the doors (or even garage doors), this is the way to go.

Cover Exposed Soil

If you live in an area with a lot of hills, you need to cover up any exposed soil. Exposed soil is more likely to take on too much water as there are no plants and root systems there to absorb the water.

Should this happen, it can make the soil unstable and cause small mudslides. This really only happens in a hilly area or alongside a mountain, but even if you live in flat lands, look towards covering the soil up to at least prevent overly muddy areas of your property.

Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump, turn it on before the storm hits. The sump pump is an excellent way to push water away from your home in order to prevent it from causing damage to the foundation of the house. A sump pump is usually more often used in locations that receive a large amount of water throughout the year or a property that is located at the base of a hill.

If your home does not have a sump pump and you sustain water leaking into the basement or are at the base of a hill, you might want to look into investing in such a system, it can drastically cut down on the impact water from a rain storm or even melting snow may have on your property and the underground foundation.

Clear the Gutters

Cleaning out the gutters is a must, and you really should do it at least once in the spring and once in the fall. Over time, all sorts of debris can collect in the gutter. From foliage from local trees to birds building nests, there are all sorts of items that can find its way into the gutter. If the gutter is not cleared out it is both going to cause water to spill out in different areas around the house but it can seep up and cause water damage to the roof as well.

These are different ways you can prep your home for an upcoming rain storm. If you’ve suffered any severe damage in the Northern Virginia area, you can always call Drying Tech to restore any water damage.

You wake up to something no homeowner wants to see. Your basement has flooded. A million things go through your head from “How can I fix it?” to “What was ruined?” While you may not be thinking straight there are some common sense things you should be doing. Read More