Protecting Your Home When It Starts to Flood | SERVPRO of Sumter

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Sumter on the case!

We can all appreciate a gentle rain in the late summer or early fall after experiencing a few strong storms throughout the season! Soft rain has a way of calming everything down and refreshing our yards and gardens.

However, not all rain is calm and idyllic at this time of year. Severe weather is still a very real threat that can bring intense rain, strong wind and damaging hail. While we often are safe and dry under the comfort of our own roofs, sometimes the rain can fall too fast and force its way into our homes anyway.

Our SERVPRO of Sumter team wants you to stay dry and comfortable no matter what is going on outside, so check out our tips for avoiding lasting home damage when the rain comes pouring down.

The Dangers of Intense Rain

Rain can cause all kinds of trouble in our area, including thunderstorms, flash flooding and the residual effects from hurricanes. It can pose trouble for any roads or low-lying areas in a matter of minutes, so staying aware of your surroundings is crucial. Heavy rain can even cause landslides that sweep away trees, cars and homes.

While you can’t prevent Mother Nature from doing her thing, you can prepare in advance to help minimize damages and keep your family safe. Stay connected to local authorities and start making plans as soon as a watch or warning is issued.

Tips for Staying Safe

Getting your home ready and preparing your family should always be at the top of your priority list whenever there is the chance of intense rain. Flash floods can develop quickly, so head for home as soon as a warning is issued. Avoid low areas and any nearby drainage ditches on your travels. Once home, do a quick tidy of your yard and secure down anything that could be swept away by the water, including trampolines, lawn furniture and propane tanks.

Prepare the lowest level of your home just in case water does start flowing in. Get the most fragile materials and possessions up to a higher room and turn off the electricity just to be safe. If the rain does start leaking in, stay calm and stay above the water line. Once the storm or threat has passed, call us right away.

Steps for Staying Dry in the Future

Once we have done our thing and dried, cleaned and sanitized your home, it is time to reflect on your situation and make some changes. While not every flood situation is preventable, there are some things you can do to prevent it from happening in the future. If you live in a low-lying area or always seem to have a flooded basement after a storm, grading your property can help naturally move rainwater down and away from your foundation.

You can also invest in home equipment like a sump pump to help you stay dry. Sump pumps automatically kick on when excess water is present in the area around your home and they will pump water from around your foundation and push it back up to the surface. This helpful pump can be a great backup if the rain is falling too fast for your gutters to keep up.

Remember that our team is here for you whenever you need us. Contact us for a full restoration that includes damage repair and sanitization to prevent a mold infestation.

We are here for all of your water disasters. Contact us day or night for a quick recovery.