If there is one theme that I have hammered throughout my work on this blog, it’s that keeping up regular maintenance on your home or business can do much when it comes to preventing water damage. I also know that many of us read such information, nod our heads in agreement, and then wait until disaster strikes before we finally do anything about the problem. Don’t feel bad, I write this stuff and I’m guilty of doing the same thing.
Every now and again, however, a story comes along that reinforces that which I have been yammering on about for so long. Walker Middle School in Nutley, New Jersey learned about the benefits of preventive maintenance the hard way recently, when heavy rains combined with gutters long overdue for cleaning resulted in rain water overflowing and damaging the school’s ceilings and auditorium.
The payoff? $150,000 in damages that the school district will end up paying for, all of which could have been averted by simply making sure the gutters on the school were cleaned out and free of obstructions.
Gutters should ideally be checked a couple of times a year, and thoroughly cleaned out at least once a year. If you live in an area with a lot of trees (and subsequently leaves falling on your roof), you might want to have them cleaned out more often. Some neighborhoods see their residents doing gutter cleanings as often as four times a year.
You can also install “gutter guards”, screened panels 30 or so inches long that snap in over the top of your gutters, allowing water in but keeping leaves and other larger pieces of debris out. Unless your house is just of ridiculous size, in many cases you can screen all of your gutters for under $50.
In addition to keeping your gutters clean, you should also make sure your downspouts are in good working order, free of obstructions, and properly channeling water away from your home. All surrounding landscaping should slope away from your home for a distance of no less than 10 feet. Remember that the ground can only absorb so much water. Once it has become saturated, the excess has to go somewhere, and it will run whichever way the ground is sloping. If it slopes towards your home, then you are guaranteed to have some issues. Even a major re-landscaping job is less costly than having to repair significant water damage to your home’s lower level.
If all else fails and you do find yourself with a water damage problem, call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com. Our providers are available 24/7/365 and offer a complete range of water removal services designed to get the water out, dry everything thoroughly, and head off any long term issues at the pass by making sure the job is done right the first time. Certified through the IICRC, all work is 100% guaranteed for one year from date of completion.
Call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today….we can be there within the hour to assess your water damage problems and get to work correcting them.
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