Spring is finally here in Wisconsin, and amidst the excitement over the warm weather, it’s easy to forget that April showers don’t just bring May flowers—they also bring an onslaught of rain (around 8 inches of total precipitation) and, as an unfortunate result, lots of flooding.
So, while you’re packing up your winter coats and beginning to dust off the lawn chairs, there are a few precautions you may want to take to avoid costly damages caused by rain and flooding. After all, floods are one of the most widespread disasters in the state of Wisconsin, accounting for about 72 million dollars in property loss annually. Don’t add to the statistics! Read on to learn more about the causes of flooding and how to protect your property.
What Are the Causes of Spring Flooding?
Everybody has most likely experienced flooding in some capacity. That moment after a big rain when you go down into your basement to grab something, only to find yourself stepping in pooled water. And while it may seem obvious what causes flooding—rain, of course—the actual answer is not always so simple.
First and foremost, spring flooding is caused by moisture, but that can manifest itself in many ways. The majority of spring flooding is a result of melting snow, rain, and unthawed earth. When the winter snow melts, it adds multiple inches of water to the ground. That extra water, compounded with the excessive rain coming down, is too much for the ground to absorb, especially when you consider that the lower layers of the earth are not fully thawed. This combination is where the majority of our flooding stems from.
Then, we have a lot of system failures in the spring. Spring in Wisconsin can be unpredictable. We often have warm weather, then cold, then warm again. That means snow and ice are melting, refreezing, then melting again. This causes certain systems like your drainage tile, sump pumps, and gutters to not work properly, whether it be from damage caused by expanding and contracting repeatedly or from clogs. These systems then fail to do their job of directing water away from your home, thereby causing flooding.
How Can You Avoid Spring Flooding in Your Home?
While you can’t control the forces of nature and stop the rain from coming, there are many things that you can do to make sure your home is safe from any flooding damage this spring.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Over the fall and winter, your gutters can get clogged up by a lot of twigs, leaves, and other debris. When your gutters are clogged, they can’t drain water properly, causing them to overflow and trickle water around the foundation, siding, or roof of your house. This excessively pooled water can then find a way inside, causing flooding and subsequent damage.
Take the time to go out and clean your gutters and downspouts in order to prevent any issues. If your gutters and downspouts are old, consider replacing them—outdated gutters, even if they’ve been properly cleaned out, still won’t do a good enough job redirecting water away from your home.
Address Foundation Cracks
As we discussed earlier, as water freezes and thaws, it expands and contracts. This expansion and contraction can create cracks in the foundation of your home, weakening the overall structure and making it easy for water to find its way inside.
Take the time to walk around your home and inspect the foundation for any new cracks that may have been created by the freezing-thawing cycle. Even if you don’t notice any water leaking in yet, it’s just a matter of time. Make any necessary repairs to your foundation as soon as possible to ensure you get ahead of potential damage.
Get Your Yard Graded
Home grading refers to the way that the land around your home slopes away from it. Grading plays a major role in where water ends up on your property. The goal is to direct any water that falls on your property away from the foundation of your house. Most properties are already graded, but over time, the grading can start to level itself out.
If you notice any areas where water is pooling around your foundations, that may be a sign to have someone make sure your yard is graded appropriately. If you like gardening, you can even take the time to grade your yard yourself—just make sure to keep an eye on it after a heavy rain to make sure everything is draining properly. An ideal grade is around 5%, but you can, depending on your preferences, grade anywhere between 3% and 25%.
Buy a Backup Sump Pump
Your sump pump does a lot of work removing excess water from your home. However, the last thing you want is for it to fail during a heavy rain, leaving you struggling to prevent flooding. For a situation like this, it may be good to have a backup sump pump in case the first one stops working.
A backup sump pump can come in handy if you lose power and your main sump pump is powered by electricity. It can also be used in tandem with your standard pump to give it an extra boost during a heavy downpour. If you’re hesitant about spending the money, don’t worry—there are a lot of affordable options available that will get the job done.
Elevate Items in Your Basement (Just in Case)
Ideally, you don’t want any water to enter your home this spring. However, on the off chance that all your precautions fail and water gets in, you want to make sure your belongings don’t get damaged as well. Take the time to elevate items in your basement, especially electronics.
Buy shelving units and place more valuable items near the top, with items that can more easily withstand water near the bottom. Buy plastic containers or bins to store documents, paper, or photographs inside. This way, if water does get inside, you can spend less time scrambling to move things and more time finding the source of the leak.
Experiencing Spring Flooding? Contact Fortitude Today!
If you do end up suffering damages or property loss caused by flooding, don’t go up against your insurance company alone. At Fortitude Public Adjuster, we are available to help you navigate the complicated ins and outs of the claims process. Contact us today to get the settlement payment you deserve.
