How to Prepare Your Home for a Summer Storm

Now that we’re in the season of summer storms, it’s not only important to keep your eye on the weather report but to also prepare your home for what might come well in advance. In order to prevent damage to your home during the worst summer storms, here are 5 important steps you should never forget to complete.

1. Get your roof inspected ahead of time.

Roof leaks are an infamous source of costly water damage. While you can survey parts of your roof from the ground, you won’t be able to get an accurate idea of its condition from that angle and distance. However, trying to traverse your roof without experience and proper training can end up in a trip to the emergency room.

In the end, it’s best to get your roof inspected by a professional, insured roofer. They will be able to spot areas of your roof that might be damaged or otherwise susceptible to leaks.

2. Tie down any outdoor furniture or move it indoors.

Gusts of wind can blow outdoor furniture across your yard, damaging your home and your landscaping. In some cases, particularly strong gusts can even carry your furniture into the yard of a neighbor and cause damage to their home. Furniture might even strike a person who happens to be outside, causing them serious injury.

If you know a storm or strong winds are headed your way, make sure to tie down your outdoor furniture or move it into the garage or basement.

3. Get your trees trimmed.

This is especially important if trees are hanging over your roof or touching your home. Stormy conditions can cause their branches (or even the whole tree) to scrape against your home or collapse on it. Also, be sure to throw away loose branches and debris. Just like unsecured furniture, fallen branches and debris can injure people or damage homes when carried by the wind.

4. Ensure your gutters are clean and securely attached to your home.

Your gutters won’t be able to steer water away from your home if they’re clogged with leaves and other debris. Make sure that they are completely debris-free and that they aren’t loose or wobbly anywhere.

5. Stock up on sandbags to redirect water, if necessary.

Sometimes your yard’s drainage system cannot adequately handle torrents of summer rain. This results in flooding across your property. Sandbag walls are useful for redirecting water away from your home so that you can avoid water damage. Keep plenty on hand, just in case!

If you suspect that your home might have water damage after a summer storm, it’s important to get your home evaluated at once. At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we perform visual surveys to check the fungal ecology or problems in a specific area as directed. If there is a problem with water damage, we can help you address it.

How Gutters Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Gutters are one of those things that we never pay attention to until something goes wrong. Most homeowners know that gutters are important, but few can actually explain why. The reason they are important is because they protect your home from water damage. Here's how.

How gutters work

Gutters are mounted along the border of your roof, and are responsible for collecting rain water and melting snow as it flows over the edge. The gutters are installed at a slight angle so this water doesn't simply pool in them, it is directed to the downspout. The job of the downspout is to deposit this water elsewhere – whether it is in a collection barrel, underground drain, garden, or just a safe distance away from your home.

How clogged gutters lead to water damage

Just about the only thing you need to do to keep your gutters functioning properly is clean them twice per year. Once after fall season, and again at the start of spring should be enough to keep them clear of leaves and debris. When your gutters become too clogged with this junk, water can't flow through them, which can lead to the following problems:

• Water leaking into your roof. When water leaks into your roof, you can experience mold in your attic, damaged insulation, wood rot, and more.
• Water pouring over the sides of your roof. When water pours over the edge of your roof, it can damage your siding and cause your window sills to rot.
• Foundation and crawl space damage. Another problem with water draining too close to your home is the pressure that it puts on your foundation, which could cause it to crack. Other problems that can result include flooding and mold growth.
• Ice dams. Ice dams commonly occur during the winter months. When your gutters are clogged, melting snow on your roof can't drain, so it re-freezes to form a dam on the edge of your roof. This causes even more water to back up, and eventually seep into your ceiling.

If water damage has affected your Long Island home or business, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We offer specialty cleaning services to Nassau and Suffolk County, including mold removal, attic and crawl space cleaning, and water damage restoration. Visit our website or give us a call at (631) 940-8100 for more information.