What Can I Do To Prepare For Fall Water Damage?

With the temps still in the high 80’s, it’s hard to believe that fall officially starts this month. North Charleston is still hot and humid. Hurricanes are possible and hurricane season has not passed yet. 

Water Damage in North Charleston

Here is your annual reminder to prepare your house to help prevent water damage emergencies. As the weather cools in the next few weeks, here are the areas to focus on:

• Clean your gutters and position downspouts  to move water away from your house
• Clear all debris out of your sump pump pit; test it quarterly
• Inspect roof for any loose or missing shingles 
• Check that attic roof vents and insulation for obstructions and gaps
• Replace any failing caulk (or gaps) around windows and doors
• Shut off older outdoor faucets or remove hoses and quick connect couplings before it freezes
• Patrol your basement for signs of water infiltration (puddles after rain, wet boxes or drywall, etc.)

Maintain The Gutters  

Keeping your gutters clean is one of the most important actions you take. As the weather turns cooler, we will likely see storms, just like last year when we had warnings calling for heavy rainfall in Charleston. In a previous post on flooding, we discussed how an average storm deposits 600 to 2,800 gallons of water on your roof. If your gutters are clogged, you run the risk of water backing up under your shingles, similar to what happens with ice dams. The other issue is that if the water can’t drain, it will overrun the sides and spill down next to your foundation, which is exactly where you don’t want it. Once water builds up next to your foundation it will look for any crack or crevice into your basement.

Other Common Areas Of Damage

Washing machines are a common source of flooding in homes every year. A broken hose, worn seal, or cracked valve can drip water onto your walls or flooring and seep into the material quickly. To prevent washing machine mishaps, inspect your hoses and valves to make sure there is no dripping or pooling water. When looking for a replacement, choose high-pressure hoses over standard hoses, as they’re made to last longer and are not much more expensive.

Toilets are another common cause of residential water damage because of clogs or leaks. Obviously, only flush recommended paper products and make sure your tank has no weak points or hairline cracks. 

Refrigerators are another source of in-home water damage, especially ice makers. The small areas behind and under a refrigerator can sometimes hide a pool of water, resulting in long-term water damage to your floors or mold growth on the walls. Inspect and clean around your home appliances regularly to make sure they are watertight and that there are no water spots or apparent leaks.

If you find yourself in need of water damage restoration services, please call Clean Masters. You can trust us to work with your insurance company to return your home or business to its original state.

Trust The Experts At Clean Masters

When you notice signs of water damage, call our experts for help making the water damage restoration. We will have you back to a pre-loss condition in just a few short days, not weeks or months from construction.

• We use infrared thermal imaging to locate all hidden sources of moisture.
• We will perform a thorough extraction to remove all standing water.
• We will set up equipment as needed to dry the structure and contents.
• We will monitor the drying process daily and answer any questions you have.
• We will work with your insurance company to help you through the process.

Clean Master’s services range from daily equipment rental to emergency water damage restoration and full content drying. For water damage restoration in Charleston, contact us.