Spring Rains Bring Floods. Make Sure Your Home is Ready.

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

This means that the weather can turn volatile at any moment. Spring thaws and drenching rain can cause flash flooding.

We all remember the flash floods we experienced here in September. Your Brooklyn home service experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning want to offer our neighbors some advice to make sure their homes are ready for additional water flow.

Here are five ways to protect your home:

1.    Clean gutters and downspouts

Most people do their gutter cleaning at the end of autumn, after all the leaves have fallen. But debris can find its way into your gutters during the winter months, too. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are free from clutter so rainwater can freely move off your roof.

2.    Inspect Your Foundation

The cold weather of winter can easily cause cracks to form in your home’s foundation. Inspect your foundation for any new cracks or openings. And if the cracks are small, fill them with a concrete patch. But, for bigger issues, you may need to consult a contractor.

3.    Install and Maintain Sump Pumps

For many homeowners in low-lying or flood-prone areas, sump pumps are a necessity. If your home regularly sees water seep in during rainy seasons, it is a good idea to invest in a sump pump. But if you already have one, you should make sure it is in good working order. If you have a battery backup, please also ensure that the batteries are working properly.

4.    Grade Landscaping Properly

Sometimes, a wet basement can be remedied by some simple landscaping. Grade your property so water flows away from the home, remove plants that impede the flow of water and add soil where needed.

5.    Cover Window and Door Wells

In Brooklyn, many homes have lower levels that are exposed to street flooding by windows and doors. Prevent damage to your home by purchasing window coverings that can be installed during inclement weather or by buying inflatable dams that can protect lower-level doors.

Of course, your home can also be flooded by internal water leaks from pipes damaged by winter weather or leaky appliances.

If you believe you have a water leak inside your home, call Petri at (718) 748-1254 or contact us online, and our experienced plumbers will be on their way to your home to assess the problem.