How to Prevent Water Damage Before a Storm

If the weatherman is predicting heavy rains – or even a tropical storm – in your area, you know there’s a good chance that you’ll be dealing with cleanup issues. But there are steps you can take to mitigate the amount of damage incurred. In fact, with the proper preventative measures, you might avoid it altogether.

So what are some smart steps to take to help prevent water damage in case of an impending storm? Here are a few ideas that could possibly save you some time – and money.

Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear. By removing the debis (leaves, old Frisbees, pizza boxes for Breaking Bad afficionados) you can make sure the water flows. Then, make sure the downspouts extend away from the house so the water will be dispersed in the appropriate places.
Take a look at the roof and make sure there are no missing shingles. If you see edges that are lifted up, take time to nail them down or repair them. Double-check the flashing around the chimney and the ventilation fans to make sure they’re in good condition and have the appropriate seal.

Make sure the soil is sloped away from the foundation. In extreme cases you might want to consider grabbing some sandbags.

Since you want to prevent the water from sneaking into the house, close and lock everything – a locked door has a tighter seal. If you have older windows, consider using a plastic sheet and painter’s tape to secure them.

Don’t forget the garage. If your driveway slopes down, put sandbags at the entrance. And, just to be sure, get everything off the floor. You could use a rack or an old wooden pallet, the kind that businesses will just throw away.

Don’t forget to have extra buckets and tarps ready – along with plenty of towels. (Keep that wet vac handy, too, just in case you need it.)

Once the storm is over, take a quick inventory of any damage. You’ll want to check the roof for possible leaks and you’ll want to dispose of any wet material as soon as possible – because failure to do so can lead to mold. Start running fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible to dry things out.

Hopefully you’ll avoid damage from Mother Nature’s latest incident, but if you have storm or water damage, the next step should be to reach out to a trained water mitigation specialist. Make that call first and the trained technician can help examine the damage and help walk you through the process of filing an insurance claim. That could help you get the most possible money from your insurance claim.

If your home or business has storm or water damage, call First In Restoration first. Our trained team can assess the damage, help dry out the affected areas, document the restoration process, and guide you through the next steps.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284