Clean Gutters Can Help Prevent Flooded Basements

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

It has been a rough few days this week as far as weather goes in the Upstate. This week alone the area averaged over 6 inches of rain, that is a month and a half worth of rain per local meteorologists. The storm brought with it flooding, downed trees, auto accidents, and even sinkholes. We were happy to do what we can to assist those that were impacted by the rain.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County was called out to several homes to extract inches of standing water in finished basements. The emergency calls started coming in before 4 AM and continued throughout the day until late into the evening. In many cases, the flooding was from water pooling at a home’s foundation line and then wicking through the walls or cracks. A proper drainage system on the roof of a structure can help to prevent water from pooling next to the wall and potentially causing severe issues.

But what does “proper drainage system mean,” you ask…

Gutters, more specifically well-maintained gutters. That’s right, the bane of the weekend, the yard work that no one sees or compliments, cleaning out the gutters. Climbing up and down a ladder, carrying a bag that gets heavier each and every time, sticking your hand into who knows what, and it is so easy to say “just forget it.” But the thing is all of that can help to prevent a flooded basement.

If the gutters are clogged, water cannot move freely through them into the spouts pointed away from the home. Leaves and sticks can build up creating dams causing hazardous overflow, or they can weigh down a gutter and pull it away from the roof and generate a whole new set of problems.

Everyone has what they consider the best method or tool to clean out gutters, and there are lots of preventative items available too. So, you have to figure what works best for you. But if spending two weekends a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall, can help prevent spending thousands of dollars and tons of headaches, isn’t it worth it?

If your home, business, or facility has had water damage because of clogged gutters or any other reason, SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here to help. Give us a call at 864-292-3495.