Preparing for Spring and Summer Storms
Spring can be a lovely season: average temperatures, blooming flowers, and nature at its best. Unfortunately, it also comes with storms and heavy rain showers that can cause water damage to your Colorado home.
As always, prevention is better than repair. Once winter is over in your area and before spring and summer storms make an appearance, take a look around your home and make sure you are well prepared for heavy rains and winds.
Starting from top to bottom, check your roof, shingles, windows, doors, and gutters. Then, head to your yard to ensure all furniture is secure and all tree branches are sturdy.
Repair Any Winter Damage from Ice and Snow
Winter can be heavy and taxing on your home. Ice and snow can break your shingles or create cracks on your roof, around your windows and doors.
Once the snow has melted, repair any ice damage. Inspect your shingles and change any tiles or shingles that bear signs of damage. Confirm that your roof is insulated and no water can enter your attic.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
The wind carries debris like branches and leaves. These can clog your gutters and downspouts. Clean them properly so that water can flow freely toward the drains.
Rainwater should be directed from your roof down the gutters and downspouts and into the drains, which should be located far away from your home. If your gutters and downspouts end too close to your home, consider extending them to drive the water away from your home and its foundation. That way, water will not linger and seep into your basement.
If possible, change your gutters and downspouts to steel from aluminum or vinyl. Steel is stronger and can better withstand strong winds and hail.
Make Sure Your Sump Pump Works Properly
If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure it works properly and can pump water away from your home. Remember that when snow and ice melt in spring, the water table rises. That makes your basement more vulnerable to flooding.
If your sump pump runs on a battery, check that the battery is fully operational.
Remove Branches and Clean Your Yard
Rain and winds can break branches and harm your home. With leaves about to come back, check your trees and cut any branches that are too close to your home. You should also cut branches that are limping or look weak: they are the first to break and could damage your yard or home.
Is Your Garage Door Sturdy?
Many accidents happen when garage doors fail to withstand high winds that push against them. Garage damage is one of the first setbacks after a storm.
Ask a professional to rate your garage door and, if necessary, consider changing your garage door to a sturdy one that will not break from heavy winds.
Repair Loose Siding
Wind and rain can tear away any loose siding and cause damage to your home’s foundation and overall structure. If you have loose siding, you may need to tighten it. Repair the problem before summer storms worsen the damage.
Secure Patio Furniture
You don’t want to see your summer chairs and table fly away during a storm! They can break or even crack your windows. Secure your patio furniture in your shed or place any movable items in your basement. Make sure that any rakes, shovels, and other tools in your garden are also secured.
Are Your Fence Posts Solidly in the Ground?
Colorado’s strong winds can pull out fence posts if they are not solidly set in the ground. Take a stroll around your property, check your fence posts, and fix any wobbly posts.
Consider Flood Insurance
Now that the storm season is almost upon us, it is a good time to check your homeowner insurance and make sure you are covered for all emergencies. Sometimes, flood insurance is not included in your contract, and some insurance packages will not cover sewage flooding.
If your home sits in an area prone to flooding, make sure that your home insurance covers you in all eventualities. Water damage mitigation and restoration in Colorado can be costly, while a small increase in your insurance premium could protect you from expensive repairs.
Valley Restoration and Construction in Colorado
Should your home suffer water damage from spring storms, our mitigation and restoration teams in Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado are available 24/7 to help your home recover any damage. We work with your insurance to help you manage your budget.
