Heavy Rainfall Can Lead to Household Water Damage | SERVPRO® of East San Antonio
12/14/2020 (Permalink)
The rushes of floodwater or sprays from burst pipes are generally what comes to mind when water damage is mentioned, but less dramatic events such as steady, heavy rain showers are common culprits of damage as well.
When your home’s defenses are not strong against the weather, heavy rain can easily work its way in—here are some of the common places we see this happen:
Where We Often See Leaks Caused by Heavy Rainfall
Backup of clogged gutters. The debris that builds up in gutters is more than just an inconvenience—it can cause water damage as well. When heavy rains come through and the water cannot drain via the gutters, pools of water can begin to seep into the roofline.
Leaks around windows and doors. Small openings between doors and windows and the exterior walls of the home might not be visible to the naked eye, but water can quickly find its way in. Weather-stripping is a great addition around exterior openings to prevent this.
Poor drainage around the foundation. If heavy rain leads to water building up around your foundation, it is wise to install landscaping or other drainage systems that can help to move this water away. Standing water can seep into the home’s foundation and cause serious damages otherwise.
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. Sump pumps are great for maintaining moisture levels in damp spaces, but without proper maintenance, they can malfunction and cause their own issues in the area they were installed to protect.
Leaks around chimneys and skylights. Homes that have features that intersect with the roof, such as skylights and chimneys, are more vulnerable to leaks from heavy rains. The seals around these features can deteriorate over time, so inspect them regularly for weaknesses.
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.