As temperatures warm up, it means we should start preparing for stormy weather. Virginians have experienced their fair share of spring storms, including tornadoes, record rainfall, flooding, and tropical storms. Often, these types of events cause damage that requires water damage restoration. While you can’t prevent an “act of God” (as insurance calls it), there are steps homeowners and business owners can take to better prepare for spring storms.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
It is wise to sign up for emergency alerts. If you download the FEMA app, you can receive notifications about potentially dangerous storms from the National Weather Service. Additionally, check your local news stations to see if they have an emergency app available. These notifications can help you prepare for the impending storm.
Have an Emergency Plan for Your Family
Rather than waiting for an emergency to happen, go ahead and have an emergency plan for your family. This starts with knowing the safest place to go in your home when facing a storm. Then, you need to consider how you would get in touch with family members not at home. Finally, you should have an emergency kit with basic supplies.
Keep in mind that this also applies to business owners and property managers. If you own a business, you should also create an emergency plan that includes where employees and customers should go in the event of a storm.
Clear Your Gutters
If you want to keep the rain from your foundation, it is critical to keep your gutters and downspouts clear. Gutters that are clogged with debris are one of the main reasons that homes experience flooding and water damage issues to homes.
Remove Potential Dangers from Your Property
After you clear your gutters, take time to remove any other potential dangers outside your home. This includes trimming trees! Old tree branches over your roof can wreak havoc if they fall during a storm. You should also be on the lookout for anything outdoors that could be picked up by strong winds and cause damage, such as patio furniture.
Examine the Exterior of Your Property
After you’ve removed potential dangers from your yard, it’s time to examine the exterior of your property. This means looking over the exterior to identify any potential problems that could be worsened by a storm, such as past leaks or loose shingles. As much as possible, try to have these issues fixed before a storm. What seems small now could cause much bigger problems after a storm.
Perform Annual Maintenance on Your Sump Pump
If your home uses a sump pump, you should make a point to perform annual maintenance before spring storms begin. This is because sump pump flooding, which requires water removal, is so common during the spring that it is known as “sump season” for those in the business. Take time to make sure your sump pump is working properly and clear of debris before your area is hit with record rainfall.
Contact Us When Disaster Strikes
We understand that even if you take all the preventative measures possible, sometimes disasters still happen that require the help of professionals. Between leaks in the roof from storm damage to flooding, we are in the business of helping homeowners and business owners restore their properties to habitable conditions. Our Richmond restoration company is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
