Why Heavy Rainfall Can Lead to Household Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rains can cause serious water damage. SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona has the trained technicians to fully restore your home.

Sudden gushes of water are often what springs to mind when most people think of water damage, but there are actually more subtle ways it can occur, too. Routine heavy rainfall can cause damage to a home, as it can work its way into anywhere the structure is vulnerable.

There are a few places we often see this happen when we respond to calls, so we wanted to be sure to share.

Places We Often See Leaks Caused by Heavy Rainfall

Backup of clogged gutters. Clearing out your gutters twice per year is recommended, both to increase your drainage flow and prevent water damage. When heavy rains occur, they can overwhelm a backed-up system and encourage water to seep into the structure of your home.

Leaks around windows and doors. The areas that border windows and doors are more vulnerable than the rest of the house, and as such, often develop water damage after heavy rain. Weatherstripping is an extremely useful tool for preventing this problem from starting.

Poor drainage around the foundation. Water that pools around the foundation can begin to seep into the home, even if your base is made of brick or cinder blocks. Landscaping and drainage systems can route the water away from the house and prevent this.

Leaks in and around the roof. Roof leaks have a way of sneaking up on homeowners, so doing work to prevent them is better than waiting until they become evident. Look out for peeling sealants or missing shingles, as heavy rain can quickly exploit these small issues and create a big leak.

Malfunctioning of a sump pump system. A sump pump installation is a great way to significantly reduce your chances of having water buildup in the home, but they can be less effective if maintenance is not done properly.

Leaks around chimneys and skylights. When skylights and chimneys are installed, seals are installed around them so they do not create a vulnerable spot in the roof. However, these seals can deteriorate over time, making your roof more likely to develop a leak.

If you’ve experienced water damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us ²⁴⁄₇ to have our trained technicians respond quickly and begin your restoration.