Here is the long awaited part 2 to our monsoon flood survival guide. In this article you will find some tips to reducing or avoiding water damage during this monsoon season and all year round. If you are properly prepared, this monsoon season should not be different from any other time of year.
Inspect your Windows and Doorways
Windows and Doorways let more than just people through. One common cause for water damage during the rainy season is simply leaving a window open. We may be having some nice breezes rolling through during the rainy season, however it is important to close all windows before that rain rolls through. Rain can enter through an open window and start causing damage in as soon as 30 minutes. If water is left to sit for several hours then the chances of damage are significantly higher and the need for wall drying and floor drying for hardwood floors is increased. You may notice the walls, baseboards and floorboards are damp or wet from soaking up water, or the carpet is soaked. It is important to have all of the water removed and have everything dried out properly to avoid permanent damage. Wood will begin to warp, the insides of walls will begin to sprout mold and carpets will start to smell. The damage only gets worse over time.
Doorways are another source of potential water damage. Sliding doors in particular are very susceptible to allowing flood water enter a home uninvited. If the door is not sealed off properly water may begin to flow in through gaps or cracks. This generally happens when an enclosed area near the doorway floods, thus leaving a pool of water pressed up against the door which will slowly or rapidly leak in. Any door can leak in water if the gap under it is not properly sealed. So please check that the door is sealed properly when closed.
Inspect Nearby Trees
One devastating cause for water damage and other structural damage during this windy season is trees. Large plants that are near your home, particularly those with branches that are close to windows are something to look out for. If branches are scratching against the side of the house/ windows then the branches are too long and need to be cut. This will prevent them from breaking windows when the wind picks up. If a storm occurs while the window is broken, then it could lead to disastrous flooding. Some other things to look out for are damaged branches on trees and trees that are not stable in the ground. Loose branches are known to fly off and damage anything near them during a bad storm. It is very easy to simply cut them down before that happens. Loose trees on the other hand are far more uncommon and generally become uprooted from a previous violent storm. Trees that have been partially uprooted should be cut down or entirely removed before they fall and cause damage. A fallen tree can easily destroy the side of a house or even injure people which are two things you never want to happen, especially during a heavy storm.
