How to Prevent Rain Water Damage
Water damage from rain can have a devastating effect on buildings and can quickly cause problems, even after minimal rain. Water damage can create the perfect conditions for mold, dry rot, ruin building contents, and cause costly repairs your insurance may not cover. When people think of rain damage, they usually assume it will come from the roof, but that is only part of protecting your home from the hazards of water.
LITTLE KNOWN STATS
- Water damage is the second most frequently filed insurance claim in the United States.
- Water damage claims account for $11 billion dollars in damages annually.
- 8% of all water damage to buildings is due to weather.
- Up to 93% of the cost of water damage could have been prevented.
We all want to avoid rain water or rain run-off from getting inside our home or damaging our home’s foundation.
It is crucial to have well-running gutter systems in place!
Keep your gutters clean to avoid clogging and water overflow.
Your gutters are the middleman from your roof to the ground, keeping rain water from running down your home’s walls. You can direct your downspouts away from the foundation of your home and guide the water to a garden or vegetation tank for future use, or out to your city connection keeping the excess water off your property depending on how much water you are getting.
It is especially important to keep rainwater runoff away from your home’s foundation.
The ground surrounding your home should be sloping away from your foundation. When rainwater puddles around your home, the water seeps into the ground and will eventually crack the foundation. When these cracks form, water leaks in, making your basement or crawl spaces damp or wet. The dampness will attract mold and mildew, along with termites and carpenter ants. You also run the risk of foundational breakdown and damage to your home. You can prevent all of these issues by keeping water away from your home.
Installing a rainwater catchment for handling rain water is a great option and Emerson Contracting NW can help you with that! This kind of system collects rain water that travels from the gutter, through the downspout, and into a tank, barrel or pipe.
(Here’s a great article about rainwater harvesting. Be sure to check for local regulations on water collection or give us a call to talk about your options. https://www.thespruce.com/residential-rainwater-harvesting-1822548)
Adding other drainage around your home such as a French Drain or ditching may be necessary if you see pooling water on your property. You can learn more about drainage options from our past blogs or by contacting Emerson Contracting NW directly. Call us at 503-837-1372 or use our convenient contact form and we’ll get back to you. We’ll answer your questions and offer a free assessment.
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