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4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Although water damage is usually associated with events such as floods or plumbing malfunctions, heavy rain may also result in water damage around the property.

While any amount of moisture can cause harm, heavy rain is described as rainfall that falls at a rate of more than 0.3 inches per hour and can seep through much smaller cracks in your house. We've put together a rundown of how these high rainfall rates can cause problems to help you better plan and prevent water damage.

How Heavy Rainfall Can Cause Household Water Damage

Backup of clogged gutters

After heavy rains, clogged gutters can cause serious damage to your house. If there is debris in the gutters, water will have a tough time draining out, resulting in leakage from puddles as the water sits against the roofline.

Leaks along the edges of windows and doors

Windows and doors are meant to be weatherproof, but as they age, their weatherproofing will deteriorate as well. When heavy rains fall, water can seep into even the tiniest cracks and cause damage.

Poor drainage around the foundation

Heavy rains can build up against the base of your home and cause leaks in your basement or crawl spaces if your home is at the bottom of a hill or does not have sufficient drainage around the foundation.

Leaks in and around the roof

Roof leaks are one of the most common side effects of heavy rains, and they may come out of nowhere. Rainwater will seep in when it falls if a shingle is scraped away or a weak spot emerges.

A sump pump machine that isn't operating properly

Daily servicing and inspection of sump pumps is critical; otherwise, the pump system will become overloaded and will be unable to efficiently transfer water away from the house.

Leaks around chimneys and skylights

Homes with chimneys and skylights are more prone to heavy rains than those without. Although they are attractive features, the seals where they touch the roof will deteriorate over time and become overloaded when heavy rain falls.

Remember to stay safe and get excess water cleaned up professionally to minimize the chance of mold growth. Our Team at SERVPRO of Naperville is ready to assist at a moment's notice with any of your water mitigation emergencies. Give our team a call at 630-428-3700. Call us, Naperville!