How Does Storm and Flood Damage Affect a Home or Business over Time?

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton highlights the importance of dealing with water damage as quickly as possible to prevent long-term effects of storm damage on Carrollton, TX, homes.

SERVPRO of Carrollton provides water damage and flood restoration services to homes and businesses exposed to a constant barrage of natural forces that act in concert to cause structural damage. Severe weather brings high winds, heavy rain, hailstones the size of golf balls, and lightning. These elements take their toll on a structure. A stalled tropical storm can linger in a region for days, dumping torrential rain that eventually finds its way into a home. Even if there are no apparent water leaks, the high humidity moistens upholstery, furniture, flooring, clothing, leather goods, and items stored in the attic, elevating the risk of a mold infestation or mildew.

The modern home is a well-insulated and tightly sealed structure with numerous potential water intrusion points, but severe weather can compromise the structural integrity of a house, resulting in water leaks.

Potential water intrusion points

1. Damaged or displaced shingles

Shingle damage may not be recognizable to the untrained eye. However, lifted shingles and hail-damaged shingles can allow a water intrusion.

2. Roof vent leaks

If properly installed and maintained, roof vents will not leak. Improper installation vents may not leak under normal conditions. However, during periods of heavy rain and high winds, the shoddy installation may lead to roof leaks. Also, lax maintenance may allow the vent seal to become compromised and leak.

3. Chimney leaks

Chimneys require regular maintenance for both proper functioning and preventing water leaks. Brick and mortar chimneys are porous and can wick water into a home. The solution is to have a professional apply a sealant to the structure.

4. Clogged gutters

Severe weather can cause gutters to become clogged with leaves and sticks. Overflow from the gutters can damage soffits, or worse, leak into the attic. Wood rot and mold become serious issues.

5. Window and door leaks

Broken panes, aging caulking, wood rot, or damaged siding can allow water to leak around windows and doors. In most cases, the windows will keep out unwanted moisture. However, hail can damage the windows or the siding near the windows, allowing water to leak into the home. Heavy rains in combination with high winds may exploit weaknesses in window construction or improper installation.

6. Garage door leaks

Heavy rain accompanied by high winds can find its way into the garage. A heavy thunderstorm can overwhelm a drainage system, resulting in a micro-flood involving only a few homes along the same street.

7. Flooded crawl space or basement

Improper grading and drainage around the foundation of a home can lead to storm damage. The slope around a house should be one inch per foot up to ten feet away from the home. In most cases, this grade will keep the crawl space or basement dry. Excessive rains can cause localized flooding that overwhelms the grading and inundates the crawl space with water.

8. Trees and roots

Trees pose a triple threat for the homeowner. Leaves from the tree can clog gutters, causing water and debris to overflow into the attic. A limb can break off and puncture the roof, or the entire tree can fall onto the house. In addition, tree roots can cause havoc with a foundation, resulting in a flood in the crawl space or basement.

From the ridge vent at the roof’s peak to the house’s foundation, a home has many potential water intrusion points. No structure is immune to the effects of storm damage and flooding. The damage might be sudden and catastrophic, as in the case of a tornado, tropical storm, or flash flood, or the water intrusion might be incremental and slow.

Long term effects of storm and flood damage on a home

If leaks are not quickly identified and repaired, the long-term effects of secondary damage can exceed the remediation and repair costs of the original water intrusion. A roof leak can cause support beams in the attic to rot and weaken the overall structural integrity of the roof. Mold can develop in the insulation.

Wiring can corrode from constant exposure to moisture. If left unchecked, a leak around the windowsill can cause the baseboards to swell and the flooring to buckle and rot. A foundation leak that permits water to flow into the crawl space during thunderstorms can undermine the foundation while at the same time fostering the growth of mold. From top to bottom, the long-term effects of storm damage can make a Carrollton, TX, home unhealthy and less valuable.

Trust the experts at SERVPRO of Carrollton for flood and storm damage restoration services. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, they arrive at the damaged home or business in about an hour. Powerful equipment quickly extracts the water, and dehumidifiers remove the remaining moisture and humidity in walls, flooring, and ceilings. Technicians use the latest cleaning techniques and the best EPA-approved disinfection, sanitization, and deodorization solutions. The knowledgeable staff can handle the insurance claims process from beginning to end.

Contact SERVPRO of Carrollton for more details about flood restoration in Carrollton, TX. The office can be reached by phone at (972) 446-0383 or by email at office@SERVPRO10952.com