Ups and Downs of Rain-Related Water Damage

Rainwater can adversely affect your White Plains home even if your roof is sound and your property sustains no wind damage as the rain falls. Water finds many ways to enter and damage your home without fanfare, but slow yet steady incursion results can be just as devastating as the damage done during a significant storm. Water damage from foundation seepage is common. However, several easily implemented strategies can help property owners avoid the runoff that results in leaky foundations.

Roof Runoff Solutions

The primary purpose of a home's roof is to prevent White Plains water damage by keeping precipitation out of the property's envelope. Shingles applied over decking, flashing, and other seals keep water moving off the roof. Once the water reaches the edges of the roof, it needs direction. Otherwise, it drops straight into the ground directly next to your foundation. As the ground absorbs the water, it eventually becomes supersaturated. The fluid pressure seeks release and squeezes right through the semi-porous materials of your home's foundation, moving even more easily inside if cracks exist in the exterior walls. AdvantaClean of Westchester, Rockland and Stamford emphasizes to residential customers seeking water mitigation and remediation that gutters and downspouts can eliminate or minimize the concentration of rainwater immediately next to the foundation. Check that they operate correctly by:

  • Inspecting gutters for properly installed hardware, adjusting their slope so that water running in the trough drains to the nearest downspout 

  • Ensuring that the downspouts attach securely to the gutters and exterior, with their ends dispersing the water several feet away from the foundation--aftermarket extensions help move the water even further from the foundation

  • Arranging for repairs or replacements if the gutters, downspouts, or hardware are damaged or parts are missing

  • Cleaning the gutters and downspouts of leaves, twigs, and other debris at least yearly 

Ground Level Adaptations

Evaluate the landscaping and ground adjacent to your home to put additional water damage safeguards in place. Build up the grade to drop one inch per foot for 5 to ideally 10 feet around your house so water drains away from it. Plantings near the foundation should not touch the house, and watering has to be mindful of the potential for seepage. Automatic sprinklers must not overwater or allow the spray to hit the exterior wall or pool near the foundation. 

Get Professional Help 

If water seepage has occurred, make sure to have the foundation and basement evaluated, fluids removed, and materials dried by technicians trained through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Your home's foundation must be structurally sound, and any damage must be repaired to avoid issues throughout the property. Following the tips above will keep things secure once we help return your foundation to an appropriate baseline condition. 

AdvantaClean of Westchester, Rockland and Stamford offers practical tips to avoid foundation seepage and has trained and well-equipped technicians to remove foundation flooding and dry out wet basements. Call (803) 597-2022 to schedule an assessment and commence emergency water damage mitigation and remediation services.

Schedule an Appointment or Call (914) 505-6570

To request a service call, please fill out the form below and we will contact you via phone, email or text as soon as possible to confirm an appointment time. You will receive an email confirming your service request. 

*All fields required. By submitting this form, you agree to receive calls, text messages, or emails at the contact information provided. Message rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out at any time. We won’t share your information. Not all locations provide the same services. View our Privacy Policy.

(914) 505-6570
Categories