With the summer season officially here, that also means that Florida's rainy season is well underway. And along with the torrential rains common during this time comes the risk of flooding. Flooding can do catastrophic damage to a house. Fortunately, there are some things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of their house suffering flood damage.
Points of entry, such as windows and doors, can also be easy ways for water to enter a home. As such, it's important to make sure these areas are well sealed. According to Family Handyman, this usually means applying caulk around both door- and window frames, and adding weather stripping to the door. Depending on the style of windows in your house, you may want to consider weather stripping those too. In order for your efforts to be effective, you need to make sure that the caulking and weather stripping is of high quality and has been applied and installed correctly.
If not sealed off, water can seep in through any small cracks or gaps around these areas. And even if the flood waters don't reach your home's interior, they can still cause damage to the structure and foundation if allowed to penetrate these entry points. Experienced water damage restoration contractors can explain how to seal these areas effectively. If you call in such services, you need to seal off these entry points as soon as they're done. Such proactive behavior can significantly reduce the risk of your home suffering flood damage.
According to Tomlinson Cannon, waterproofing can help secure homes against floodwaters and the damage they can cause. While sealing doors and windows is a part of this, there are other areas of your home to consider as well. Anywhere that has plumbing should be well caulked as well. Waterproofing your walls can help prevent flood waters outside your home from seeping in from there. You can waterproof your foundation by installing a French drain system to help get rid of water. You can also apply waterproofing to the foundation's exterior to help prevent water from soaking into the foundation in the first place. Carefully consider your flooring as well. Some types of flooring retain water, while others are better at repelling it.
It's important to make sure your siding is in good condition too. Your house's exterior is usually the first thing that prevents water from making it into your home's interior, so it's important to maintain it. Check your siding and make sure it's not discolored or damaged. It should be made from materials that hold up well to water, considering how much of it Florida tends to get. According to A+ Powerwashing, you should clean your siding regularly to prevent dirt and grime from building up, and mold from taking hold. These can weaken your siding and cause it to need repairs or replacement.
Keeping your house well-maintained can do wonders for reducing the risk of flood damage. Each thing you do helps build up protection for your home. All of it works together to help keep water out. The more things you do to protect your home from flooding, the better off you'll be.
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