4 Ways to Protect Your Home from Rain Damage

1/17/2025 (Permalink)

Rain is a natural and essential part of our ecosystem, but when it comes pouring down in excess, it can cause significant damage to your home. From flooded basements to roof leaks, the effects of water damage can be both costly and time-consuming to repair. As a homeowner, taking proactive steps to safeguard your property from the ravages of heavy rain is crucial. Here are five ways to protect your home from rain damage:

Maintain Your Roof and Gutters

Your roof is the first defense against rainwater, so regular maintenance is key to preventing leaks and water damage. Inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles, cracks, or signs of wear and tear.  Equally important are your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and pool around your foundation, leading to potential flooding in your basement or damage to the structure of your home. Clean your gutters regularly, especially when leaves and debris accumulate in the fall and spring. 

Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are common entry points for rainwater if they're not correctly sealed. Over time, weather stripping can wear out, and caulking around window frames can crack, creating gaps that let water seep inside. Inspect these areas annually and replace worn weatherstripping or damaged caulking to maintain a tight seal. Consider applying a water-resistant sealant to the exterior frames of windows and doors to further protect against rainwater penetration. If you live in an area prone to heavy rain, upgrading to storm-resistant windows and doors can provide additional protection.

Landscaping and Drainage Solutions

How your landscaped yard significantly affects how rainwater drains away from your home. Ensure the ground slopes from your foundation to direct water runoff from your house. If your lawn has low spots or areas where water pools, consider grading the landscape to improve drainage. Installing a sump pump in your yard can help redirect water flow and prevent pooling near your foundation. You can also use permeable paving materials for walkways and driveways, which allow rainwater to seep into the ground instead of running off and potentially causing flooding.

Check and Repair Foundation Cracks

Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, and even small cracks can allow rainwater to seep into your basement or crawl space. Inspect your foundation regularly for any visible cracks, especially after a heavy rainstorm. If you notice any issues, it's essential to repair them promptly before the problem worsens. Waterproofing your foundation is another effective way to protect your home. A professional contractor can apply sealants or install barriers preventing water from entering the foundation. In addition, consider adding a sump pump to your basement to help manage water infiltration during heavy rain.

Choose SERVPRO of East Providence for Water Damage Restoration

Taking proactive steps to protect your home from rain damage is essential for preserving its structural integrity and avoiding costly repairs. You can minimize the risk of water intrusion by maintaining your roof, windows, gutters, and foundations. If you do experience water damage despite your best efforts not to, our professional water damage restoration will make it "like it never even happened!" Don't wait for the worst to happen—contact us today to learn more about our water damage mitigation and restoration.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips to Prevent Water Damage

11/26/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage is one of the most common and costly problems homeowners face, often caused by neglecting seasonal maintenance tasks. Whether it's heavy rain, snow, or fluctuating temperatures, each season presents unique challenges to your home's protection against water intrusion. Taking proactive steps to maintain your property throughout the year can save you from expensive repairs and unexpected headaches. Here are some essential seasonal maintenance tips to help prevent water damage and keep your home safe and dry.

Spring: Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

As the snow melts and spring rains arrive, it is crucial to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, leading to leaks in the roof, foundation, and even interior damage. Clean your gutters regularly to ensure water flows freely and is directed away from your home's foundation. If necessary, install gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating.

Summer: Check for Roof Leaks

Summer's warm, dry weather offers the perfect opportunity to inspect your roof for potential damage that may have occurred during winter or spring storms. Look for missing, loose, or damaged shingles, as these can lead to water leaks when the next rain hits. It's also an excellent time to check for signs of water stains or mold in your attic, which could indicate a roof leak. Catching issues early can prevent significant water damage and keep your home secure.

Fall: Seal Windows and Doors

As the weather cools and the rain becomes more frequent, you must check that all your windows and doors are properly sealed. Look for gaps or cracks around the frames where water could seep in. Reapply weather stripping or sealant to keep the cold air and moisture out. Additionally, inspect the caulking around windows and doors for any signs of deterioration and reapply as necessary. Proper sealing will prevent drafts and water from infiltrating your home during the fall and winter.

Winter: Protect Pipes from Freezing

Winter poses a significant risk to your home's plumbing system. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst, leading to severe water damage and expensive repairs. Insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas like basements, attics, or garages to prevent this. Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate pipes, and let faucets drip slightly during freezing weather to prevent freezing. Also, disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets to avoid the risk of damage.

Year-Round Tips to Prevent Water Damage 

While seasonal maintenance is essential, there are also year-round tips to ensure your home stays protected from water damage. Regularly inspect your foundation for cracks and repair them as soon as possible. Keep your sump pump in good working condition, and check that the drainage system around your home directs water away from the foundation. Keep an eye on the humidity levels inside your home to prevent mold growth, and ensure your home's insulation is intact to avoid condensation and moisture buildup.

Water Damage Restoration with SERVPRO of East Providence

Preventing water damage requires attention to detail and regular maintenance throughout the year. At SERVPRO of East Providence, we specialize in water damage restoration services. Our team can inspect your property, identify potential problem areas, and provide solutions to keep your home dry and safe year-round. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step in safeguarding your property from water damage!

Signs That You Have Undetected Water Damage

10/23/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can lurk behind walls and under floorboards, causing significant issues and damage if left untreated. Identifying the signs early can save you time, money, and stress. At SERVPRO of East Providence, we understand the need for quick and efficient water removal to prevent any further damage from arising. Here are some key things to look for that could indicate undetected water damage in your home.

Water Damage Can Have A Musty Odor

One of the first signs that you could have undetected water damage is a persistent musty smell. If you notice an odd smell that won't go away even with proper cleaning, it could be a sign of mold or mildew growth, which indicates untreated water damage.

Water Damage Can Cause Warped Flooring 

Another significant sign that there may have been undetected water damage in your home is if any flooring is warped or buckled. This is mainly for wood and laminate surfaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or attics. If flooring appears swollen or uneven in certain areas, it might result from prolonged moisture exposure. 

Water Damage Can Result in Peeling Wallpaper

Moisture could easily be trapped underneath if you notice paint bubbling or wallpaper peeling in your home. If left untreated, this will only cause more damage to the walls. This clearly indicates that water damage may occur behind those surfaces. 

Increased Water Bill Could Indicate a Leak 

A less common sign that you may have water damage happening behind the scenes is a sudden increase in your usual water bill. This could be a sign of a hidden leak within your plumbing system that could be causing damage over time. If your usage hasn't changed, it's worth investigating it further.

Foundation Issues Caused By Water Damage

Lastly, cracking in walls or flooring, along with doorframes and windows, can indicate a moisture-related problem in your home's foundation. A professional should assess these issues to determine the extent of the damage and what needs to be done.

Choose SERVPRO of East Providence

Detecting water damage early is crucial in preventing costly repairs and health hazards. If you notice these signs, you must investigate further or consult a professional. SERVPRO of East Providence water damage restoration is your local choice for property recovery. Get started with our water damage detection and damage restoration services.

What to Do When Your Dishwasher Leaks | SERVPRO of East Providence

8/17/2023 (Permalink)

Has your dishwasher started leaking on your floors? Call SERVPRO of East Providence to restore your kitchen to preloss condition!

It can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life that you might not notice right away when small problems start to become larger ones. Maybe you absentmindedly swiped away that drip of water under your dishwasher so often that you barely register you are doing so as you head out the door to work. 

While that simple drip may not seem like a major issue now, it could eventually lead to a serious problem that leaves you with a broken appliance and water all over your floor. If that happens to you, call SERVPRO® of East Providence right away so we can get to work for you.

The Impact of Water Damage

Water is flowing behind our walls and through our pipes every day to help us do almost everything within our homes. Because of that, it can leak at virtually any time if something happens unexpectedly. A single drip could turn into a stream, which will silently seep into your floors and behind your walls. 

If that happens, the water can be almost impossible to dry out on your own and that can lead to major water damage and even a mold infestation. Once mold is present, you may be looking at a total reconstruction of your space if the mold starts compromising the integrity of your home.

Taking action quickly and getting the problem taken care of is crucial to your home’s safety and your wallet. 

Responding to the Situation

If you come home to a puddle or a flood, track down the source of the problem as quickly as possible, but avoid walking through any standing water. Shut off electricity to the area as a safety precaution and then shut off the main water valve that is supplying the appliance with the water that is now all over your floor. This is usually inside the cupboard under your sink or in the back of your machine. 

Once you have the situation under control, call us right away and start saving any possessions that could be compromised by the water. Chair legs, couches, high chairs or anything near the water that could be ruined or warped should be moved to a safe location. 

Why a Professional Restoration Is Necessary
While you can probably handle cleaning up the standing water on your own with some bath towels or a few paper towel rolls, you probably won’t be able to ensure the water behind your walls and floors has dried up. 

That’s where we come in! Our team comes equipped with thermal imaging cameras that can detect hidden moisture. This is helpful for those stubborn spots like this, and we can position our equipment to dry everything out completely. After that, we can address repairs to make your home as good as new. 

Repairs often include carpet replacement, retiling or laying new floor, or even drywall repair. Water has the unique ability to warp many things, but we can handle the repairs on everything. Lean on us the next time an appliance of yours betrays you and leaves you with a watery mess!

We can help reverse water damage right away. Call SERVPRO of East Providence for fast assistance.