How to Prevent Water Damage during a Storm
Since the weather is unpredictable, it is important to prepare your home against potential damages. It is important that you know how to prevent water damage during a storm for your peace of mind. There are several ways in which one can be able to circumvent any further damages in the event of any unforeseen circumstance.
We know that you are interested to find about how to secure your home during a home. In our years in the water damage restoration industry, we have gathered vital information about maintaining the safety of your home during a storm. Find out more about how to prevent water damage during a storm in the article below.
How to Prevent Water Damage Indoors
A. Weatherproof Doors and Windows
Since doors and windows are the gateway to your home, it is important to be certain that they will be able to protect your home against the weather. This is why it is important to seal the cracks and gaps on your doors and windows.
First, you need to examine your walls to see if there are any cracks and gaps that can cause water from the outside to come inside your home. You will also have a clue if a wall has cracks when heat is able to escape in a certain room.
For your doors, it is important to check for gaps and flimsy parts. When light can go through your door, air and water from the outside can also come in. You can attach a weather tape along the door to prevent this from occurring. It is also important to caulk the gaps and check the tightness of the sealant that you put in.
When it comes to larger gaps on your door, you can choose to use a backer rod in order to prevent air and water penetration. You also have the option to install a storm door or a screen door for added protection.
In order to weatherproof your windows, you must first inspect the frame of the window. Check for the presence of gaps, cracks, or scratches along the wooden frame of the window. You can solve these issues by putting in sealants or making use of foam. It is important to do these security measures in order to prevent water or air penetration.
B. Keep Home Clean and Secure
It is easier to prevent water damage when everything in your home is in order and secure. It is important to keep your important documents in one place to ensure easier tracking of vital files. You must place important items in an area where they would not be affected by potential water damage.
A home with minimal clutter will help minimize the cost of water damage. When your home is clean, it is also easier to spot any mess that is left by the storm. This way, you can easily know if there is water damage in your property.
If you know that there are no marks or stains or your walls and there is a sudden appearance of moisture on the surface, you would know that there is potential water damage occurring. In addition to this, it is important to keep the perimeters of your house secure.
It is vital that there is no leaky faucet or busted pipeline that can further add to any damage that can be caused by storms. This is because it can make the situation worse. Before the storm occurs, it is best to prepare your home against potential dangers.
C. Know the Items that you need to Protect first
When the storm occurs, it is easy to just panic. Your mind can get lost while trying to keep safe. Obviously, it is important to protect the living creatures in your home like your family and your housemates, your pets, and your plants.
Once this has all been settled, you can now begin to protect your tangible assets. If the storm is not strong, you can just check around the house to see if rain is coming in. When you see signs of water or air penetration, you have to cover the area to prevent more air and water from coming in.
When the storm is too strong, it is important to evacuate before the storm happens. However, if you are left at home during a strong storm, you need to protect your important documents first. This is because the original copy of your original documents will be difficult to replace.
On top of that, you should protect your belongings that have a higher value. It is also important to unplug electrical outlets to prevent electrocution in case that your home suddenly becomes flooded. When your home is flooded, it is vital to move to higher grounds with your survival kit.
D. Gather Survival Kit that you will need during the Storm
On that note, when you prepare for a storm or any calamities, it is important to have a survival kit. A survival kit is important when preparing for water damage since this can prevent further health concerns that typically occur when there is a storm. A survival kit should contain everything you need since it is dangerous to go out of the house when there is an imminent storm in the area.
It may be true that a survival kit will not prevent water damage, but if your survival kit comes with the right contents, it can save your life and your property. Apart from the food and drinks that can help you get through the next 72 hours, it is also essential to have the right tools for survival.
It is extremely important to put in tools that can help secure your home when you pack for your survival kit. There must be some duct tapes, foam that can cover passageways, work glove, scissors, and multipurpose tools. This will provide you allow you to minimize the inconveniences that may occur during a storm.
How to Prevent Water Damage Outdoors
Apart from the inside of your home, it is also important to protect your outdoors. This is due to the fact the danger of water damage is most present outside your home. There are trees that can pose danger if they have been affected by strong storms and wind. Before any storm will pass by your area of responsibility, it is important to be certain that you can keep the perimeter safe for your security and safety.
A. Remove any Debris or Potential Dangers
If you live in an area where there are several trees, it can potentially pose danger to your home. This is why it is important to check if any trees have loose branches that can fall down with strong winds. If big branches fall on your roof, this can cause damage to your home and property.
This can also be true for other elements found around your house. You should also look at the items that can be found on your yard and see if they pose any danger. There are items that may seem too small to cause damage like pots and trash bins. However, if the wind is strong and the items fly, it can hit the structure of your home and cause more damage.
When there are less dangers lurking around the perimeter of your property, the chance of water damage will also be reduced. This is why it is important to inspect the surroundings to reduce the chance of water damage during a storm.
B. Fix Problem Areas
When inspecting your outdoors, you can check the drainage if it is clogged. If your gutter or drainage is clogged, there is a higher chance that a flooding may occur. On the other hand, you must also check the gutters to check if there are in good working condition. This will prevent the likelihood of increasing the damage caused by the storm.
Before a storm, it is important to clean up the area to prevent them from causing clogged drainage and gutters. In addition to this, the presence of several loose leaves and branches can cause drainage or gutter clogs. Moreover, it is also essential to keep away loose trash like plastics and paper. When you throw your trash in the proper bin, you have one less thing to worry about.
There are areas that are commonly the most affected when there is a storm. Similar to preparing for a hurricane, you should be able to protect your drainage and gutter. The reason for this is as follows:
“Before the rain drops heavily, you must clear your drainage system immediately to prevent flooding. You should check your gutter since they can get clogged up if they are filled with debris. In addition to this, you can also move your outdoor furniture inside your home to keep them safe. Smaller items like a trash can and potted plants can be blown away by heavy winds since they are lighter in weight. This will also prevent water damage on your outdoor furniture since they would not be directly exposed to rain.”
Read more about how to prevent water damage during a hurricane in this article: Preparation for Water Damage during a Hurricane
Important Tips to Prevent Water Damage during a Storm
Check for Water Damage around the Area
Once the storm has passed, you should start checking inside your home for any water damage that has occurred. It is important that you know the signs that there is water damage present on your home. You can check for flooding in every nook and cranny of every room. If you become aware of the damage at the most immediate time, it is easier to prevent the damage from getting big.
When the storm has passed, you need to be sure that the danger has also passed if you wish to check your outdoors. This is because large branches may be hovering around the area and it can accidentally fall on you. When it is safe to check the surroundings of your home, you must see if there are any branches that are loose. It is also vital to check if there are blocked drainage to prevent potential flooding.
Since you already know the cause of the problem, it is important to note the areas that will need repair. It is likely that the problem will grow deeper when the issue is left untreated. Whether the problem is inside or outside your home, it is important to fix the problem immediately in order to control the gravity of the situation.
When left untreated, minimal water damage can turn to a serious condition. This is because it can lead to mold and bacteria buildup. It can also lead to damage to property if the flooding becomes too severe. This is why it is important to inspect the property after a storm.
What to do when there is water damage after the storm?
Once you are certain that there is water damage in your property, it is important that you fix the root of the problem immediately. It is important to get immediate repair to prevent more damage than there already is. If the problem is minimal, you can find ways to DIY the solution. However, if you are unsure of what to do, it is best to get professional help immediately.
Storms cannot be prevented. This is why it is important to be able to protect your home from the damage that may be caused by fortuitous events. However, if the water damage has already happened after the storm, it is important to get in touch with the best water damage restoration company in your area.
If you are in Miami, there is only one water damage restoration company that you should call and it is Water Damage Miami. It is a name that you can trust when it comes to your property. Just give us a call or send us an email and we will get back to you right away.