Water damage from Heavy Rain

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rains can cause serious water damage. SERVPRO of Lebanon County have the trained technicians to fully restore your home.

Water damage can occur for many reasons, and not all of them are dramatic or sudden.

SERVPRO responds to the Hershey and Harrisburg areas to many water damage calls that are neither of these things and are instead a result of heavy rainfall infiltrating the home after a period of time. These types of leaks often go unnoticed at first if homeowners do not know where to watch for them, leading to compounding damage that can become severe.

Where Rainfall Typically Causes Water Damage

Backup of clogged gutters. Cleaning out the gutters every six months is more than just a chore—it is actually a great way to prevent water damage. If steady rainfall pumps too much water into the gutters that they are not equipped to drain away, it can begin to be absorbed by the surrounding structures of your home.

Leaks around windows and doors. With windows and doors, there is always an increased chance of water damage occurring. Miniature gaps can develop in the exterior of the home that is enough for sustained rainfall to obtain an inlet into the wood and begin to cause decay.

Poor drainage around the foundation. For homes that do not have sufficient drainage around their base, we often see water damage to the foundation after heavy rain. If water is allowed to pool up and sit against the materials, it can begin to seep in with time and lead to issues.

Leaks in and around the roof. A roof leak will often not be noticed until it begins to cause discoloration on the ceiling, which means damage has already occurred. Checking the exterior of the roof can help you prevent this, as missing or loose shingles are a clear sign that something is amiss.

Malfunctioning of a sump pump system. Installing a sump pump system is a smart and vigilant way to prevent water damage, but only if you take care of it. A malfunctioning sump pump system can lead to extreme damage if the cause is not treated.

Leaks around chimneys and skylights. These types of features are certainly nice to have, but having the seals around them inspected regularly is advised to prevent leaks from occurring. As these leaks wear down over time, rain can work its way into the roof and deteriorate the woodwork.

If you’ve experienced water damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call SERVPRO of Hershey/Harrisburg East at 717-533-FIRE  ²⁴⁄₇ to have our trained technicians respond quickly and begin your restoration.