Spring in Stevens Point — Water Damage Dangers

Now that it’s beginning to warm up in Wisconsin, the rains increase with the temperature. Even if you didn’t have a problem with frozen pipes in the winter, you still can experience water damage from the spring rains.

Spring Water Damage Prevention Tips

Here are a few tips to keep you safe from Spring water damage.

Maintain Gutters

Well planned gutters support your roof to protect your home.  Next time it rains, grab an umbrella and inspect your gutters to make sure they are catching all of the water and that they’re properly carrying them away from your home. When debris such as leaves, sticks, dirt, and ice are trapped in gutters, water is blocked from running freely. We at K-tech Kleening recommend installing downspout extenders to dump the rain a reasonable distance from your foundation.

When the clouds break in the spring, they can dump huge volumes of water. For a home to withstand that deluge, all systems have to be working perfectly. The three main causes of spring flooding are thawing, increased rainfall, and a poorly maintained home infrastructure. Winter is hard on your home; enter the spring with a well maintained home to prevent typical water damage:

Clear Street Storm Drains

With all the coming sunshine, visually inspect your property for blockages or obstructions that could prevent any remaining melting snow from draining. Every home’s lawn should slope towards the street. If yours doesn’t, you need to grade the slope of your lawn away from your home. Consider having french drains installed on the outside of your home to get the water away from your foundation and out to your street where it belongs.

So, the last time you shovel the driveway, take a few extra minutes to push snow 3-5 feet away from your home.

Ensure the Sump Pump is Working

Sump pumps are the modern version of a water bail-out assembly line. When moisture accumulates in a basement, the sump pump will collect water which is especially useful in areas where the basement is below the water table level. Sump pumps can sit unused for months or years at a time, but when called to action they fail. To avoid this from happening, do the following:

1) Test the sump pump to make sure it works. If not, call a professional to troubleshoot and fix any issues (or if you’re handy get online and do some homework on how to troubleshoot your sump pump).

2) Buy a generator to provide an alternative source of energy if power goes out during a storm. While batteries can last for a couple of hours, that’s usually not enough time to collect and dispose of the amount of groundwater that typically sits outside your basement walls during a heavy storm.

Mend Foundation Cracks

During the freezing and thawing, foundation defects may become more pronounced and allow water seepage and flooding. A solid barrier between the interior and the exterior of your home is key in preventing spring flooding. Visually inspect your outside pipes for leaks and damage, especially the outside faucet at the wall.

K-tech Kleening Can Handle It All

The certified K-Tech team has the eyes and experiences to 1) prepare for spring or 2) help you clean up after water damage. Contact us anytime you need help and we will rush to your location in Central Wisconsin with a fleet of vehicles, specialized equipment, and an experienced staff.