How to Reduce Your Risk of Water Damage with Simple Spring Maintenance Tips

 

Spring is finally here, and with it comes a whole host of new tasks to prepare for the warmer months ahead. One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to prepare your home for spring weather and to take steps to reduce your risk of water damage.

Water damage can be incredibly expensive to repair and cause long-term damage to your residence if left unchecked. These simple spring maintenance tips can help reduce your risk of potential problems and keep your house safe and sound.

Check Your Gutters and Downspouts

One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and debris-free. This is especially important in the spring when heavy rains can cause water to overflow and damage your home's foundation.

Inspect Your Roof for Damage

Spring is also a great time to inspect your roof for any signs of damage, such as missing or cracked shingles. If you notice any wear, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent water from seeping into your house.

Check Your Sump Pump

If you have a basement, it's important to check your sump pump to ensure it works properly. This can help prevent flooding and water damage in the event of heavy rain during the spring season.

Monitor Your Water Bill

If you notice a sudden increase in your water bill, it could indicate a leak somewhere in your home. Keep an eye on your water bill, and if you notice any unusual spikes, have your plumbing inspected by a professional.

Seal Windows and Doors

Finally, seal any windows and doors in your home to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rains. This can be as simple as adding weather stripping or caulking around your windows and doors.

And, if you still end up facing a water damage issue in your humble abode this spring, our team is here to help. We are the repair experts of Long Island!

 

Water Damage Evaluation in Suffolk County

Water damage can be a nightmare for any homeowner. But with the help of a professional water remediation company like Greenpro Cleaning & Restoration, you can rest assured that we will restore your home to its pre-damaged state in no time. Contact us today to learn more about our services!

What You Need To Know About Water Damage

 

The rain has been coming down heavily already this summer! With Long Island seeing multiple flash flood warnings in effect already, you should plan before the next big storm hits. Because, let's face it, if your home isn't prepared, heavy rains can do a lot more damage than you may realize.

 

Heavy Rain is The Most Common Culprit

Water damage can happen from other causes, such as burst pipes or plumbing leaks, but heavy rain can often cause rapid and sudden damage. It washes away loose dirt on roofs or ground surfaces, sending it cascading into gutters or downspouts where it enters a building through open windows or doors.

What To Do if Water Gets in

If water seeps into your home or floods the basement, it's essential that you stop the flow as soon as possible. To do this, open doors and windows to allow air circulation to help dry out any wet areas quickly. And as soon as you notice the first sign of an issue, be sure to contact professional water damage cleaners.

 

How To Prevent Issues in The Future

It's important to plan ahead, especially during the summer season! Some tips for this include:

• Check the gutters on your home at least twice a year.
• Repair any leaks in pipes or appliances.
• Store important documents (such as birth certificates) off-site so you can access them if necessary.
• Make sure you have an emergency kit with everything you’ll need during an emergency.
• Stay in contact with the professionals here at Greenpro to help protect your home in the future!

Water Damage Evaluation in Suffolk County

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we will come test for water damage to ensure you and your family are safe after a rainstorm. If you suspect that there may be a problem in the home or building, call us to schedule your indoor evaluation at 631-940-8100.

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.

Is Your Home Prepared for the Rainy Season?

Alright, weekend warrior. It’s time to prepare your house for rainy weather--and lots of it. You can begin from the top down, starting with the roof, one of your home’s most important safeguards against the elements.

The Roof

First, inspect your roof from the ground (using a pair of binoculars if necessary) to look for warping or shrinking shingles, as well as shingles that appear to be loose or slipping. If you can see it from the ground, also check your flashing for oxidizing or any other deterioration. Flashing is frequently made of galvanized steel or aluminum that’s installed in your roof’s joints to prevent water damage. (Hint: look for flashing around the chimney or skylights, as well as in your roof’s valleys. 

If you can safely access your roof by ladder, it can help you get a better look at your roof’s condition. Just make sure that your ladder is properly secured. If you have a steep roof or a fear of heights, there’s no shame in calling a professional at this point if you suspect there might be damage.

The Gutters and Downspouts

Your gutters prevent water damage to your house by redirecting rain and hail away from the house’s sides and foundation. It’s vital for your gutters and downspouts to remain clear of leaves and other debris that could clog them and keep them from functioning properly. Keep in mind, inspecting the gutters will be a little trickier if you aren’t able to use a ladder, so if this step is a no-can-do for you, just call a professional.

The Siding

If your house has siding, take a moment to see how worn out it has gotten from fending off previous rains. When winds are especially strong and create that bothersome horizontal rain, sometimes water actually ends up underneath your siding, damaging it over time.

The Backyard/Patio

A flood or pool of rainwater in your backyard or patio has the potential to drown your grass and other plants or--worse--give your house water damage. Check the drains to make sure nothing is clogging them. You can also buy sandbags if you suspect there might be flooding because they can be used to redirect water. Just be careful about where the water gets redirected!

Many times, despite our best efforts, our homes can still end up with water damage after heavy rains. If you suspect you have water damage in your home or building, GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can help, starting with a non-destructive visual survey to check the fungal ecology or problems in a specific area as directed.

How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

You've probably heard the old expression, April showers bring May flowers, but spring is not the only time you will experience heavy rain. In fact, hurricane season runs through November 30^th on the East Coast, and it is very possible that Long Island will experience its fair share of thunderstorms before the season ends.

Water damage can come from excess rain, or it could come from leaks and burst pipes within your house. It is not uncommon for water to cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to a household, so as a homeowner it should be something you are making a conscious effort to prevent.

Use these tips to protect your home from water damage this fall and winter:

• Clean your gutters. With all the leaves falling from the trees, your gutters can easily get clogged if you don't clean them during the autumn months. When they are clogged, rainwater has no place to drain, so it can begin to enter your home through your roof.

• Inspect your home's pipes. As previously mentioned, not all water damage comes from the outside. Prevent a pipe from bursting in your home by periodically inspecting all pipes including those going to your washing machine and dishwasher. If you notice wear and tear or any cracks, replace the pipe immediately.

• Leave your thermostat on at least 65° F. Many of us will be going away for long vacations over the winter, and turning our thermostats off to save money. When this happens, the pipes in your home can freeze and burst, so make sure to always leave your thermostat set to at least 65°.

• Keep valuable items off the basement floor. This won't prevent water damage per se, but it will help minimize it. Since your basement is the lowest area in your home, it is the most prone to flooding. In the event that something does happen, you don't want all of your valuables to be vulnerable.

• Go gentle on your drains. Treat your sink, shower, and toilet drains with extreme caution. Never pour grease down your drains and in the event of a clog, turn to plungers and plumbing snakes instead of chemical solutions such as Draino.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents do happen. If you experience water damage in your home, don't touch wet items with your hands and don't breathe in the damp air. In these situations, it is best to call in the professionals. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration serves all of Nassau and Suffolk County and can help repair any water damage in your home. Call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.