Preventing Water Damage in Your Spokane Home

10/18/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damaged Carpet from a water line break. Call the experts at SERVPRO for any of your Water Damage needs.

Water damage is the main thing which weakens the foundation of your home and the core that holds your house together. Water damage hits at the core strength of your home, causing serious structural damage in the end. With damp wood, carpenter ants and termites have an invitation. Plus, mildew and mold start to grow. 
 
Knowing steps to prevent water damage can give you peace of mind during the next heavy storm. Your Spokane home can stand up to the elements, and you do not have to spend your time worrying about the possible damages that could happen. When water damage still occurs, get a professional remediation company into your home right away to minimize damages. SERVPRO is always ready to help you when needed. 
 
Make Sure You Have Good Drainage 
 
Poor drainage weakens your foundation, causing uneven settling, cracks, and pathways for water to get into your home. 
 
Keep your gutters clean. A clogged gutter sends cascades of water down the side of your house, which damages your siding and foundation. Make sure your downspouts direct the water five to ten feet away from your house. Also, ensure that your yard is sloped six inches or more over a ten-foot span away from the foundation. A gradient like this keeps water from getting right next to your foundation, which can crack the masonry, cause walls to lean, and make leaks. When it comes to crawl spaces, keeping water away ensures that extra water is not pooling under your floor, creating damp conditions that encourage rot, insects, and mold. 
 
If you ever notice leaking at all around your foundation, get in touch with our technicians at SERVPRO right away, as this can become an enormous and expensive problem if it is not taken care of as soon as possible. 
 
Check Your Sump Pump Regularly 
 
During a severe storm is not when you want to realize your sump pump is not working. Check it at least once a year, or more during a heavy period of storms. 
 
Fill the sump pump pit slowly with water and watch for the float to rise. Make sure the water level falls. Test your backup pump the same way, unplugging the main pump first. 
 
Check for Water Leaks 
 
Persistent leaks cause mildew and mold, rot, and the presence of carpenter ants and termites. If you are quick to fix a leak, you may experience no long-term damage. 
 
Look for dark spots under piping inside sink cabinets, toilets which rock, stains on ceilings, and drips. Inspect your roof at least once per year, and repair any loose, missing, or damaged shingles. Cracked caulking needs repair, and look for leaks around flashing. 
 
If you do ever find water leaks or damage in your home, you need to have it taken care of as soon as you can to prevent additional and more costly damage. SERVPRO of Northwest Spokane can help you clean up and repair water damage of various kinds. Just give us a call at (509) 487-4700 any time of the day so that we can assess the damage and get your home back to its proper condition.