2020 has been messy. Who could have predicted that the year’s hot topics would include toilet paper hoarding and homemade hand sanitizer? Add smoke pollution from wildfires into the context of an airborne pandemic, and it can feel like danger is literally in the air we breathe. While there is much we cannot control, sometimes the simple things go a long way to create a sense of order and peace. By practicing the three c’s—clean, contain, and create—you can foster a thankful atmosphere in your home.
Interesting facts about Monsoon Season...
- Arizona receives 31.5% of its total annual rainfall during a monsoon.
- There are nearly 500,000 lightning strikes during a monsoon.
- Monsoon season from June 15th to September 30th every year.
How Should Your Prepare Your Property For Flooding?
The key to minimizing Tucson monsoon water damage is making some tweaks to your property ahead of time. Here are some monsoon preparation tips that will keep you prepared and damage minimal.
Install or Clean Gutters
A lot of Tucson homes do not have gutters, particularly homes in newer subdivisions. Living in a desert with little rain, it is easy to forget drainage issues. During the monsoon, you can watch the water pouring off the roof in sheets.
Gutters help to protect your home’s foundations. When rainwater isn’t properly draining away from your house, the dry soil will be saturated repeatedly under your house. When the soil keeps getting saturated, it swells. This is a recipe for foundation failure. Gutters can also stop flooding in your garage or on your patio.
As you are installing gutters, ensure to move water as far away from the house as possible. Water should run off the roof into gutters and through downspouts and hard pipes that drain a minimum of 10 feet away from your home.
If you have gutters, be sure to clean them out and seal any gaps before the heavy rains begin.
ProTip: Wood that constantly gets soaked by rainwater can rot and will be vulnerable to subterranean termites.
Improve Water Drainage
If you have regular water drainage problems, consider improving the grading on your property. It is important to slope the lay of the land away from buildings to prevent flooding.
Other ways to prevent flooding are:
- You can add drains to driveways and patios.
- You can upgrade your concrete patio to permeable pavers. Permeable paving systems are porous, so they allow water to soak through them.
- You can also build rock “rivers” or add new plants to help the situation. Be sure not to put plastic around your plants as this will not allow the water to soak into the soil.
ProTip: Do not divert the water onto your neighbor’s property.
Maintain the Plumbing
Sometimes the flooding source is not from the monsoons but from your own plumbing. A malfunction with your dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, even a burst pipe can cause flooding in your house. If it does, your home insurance will probably pay for the damage. However, if you have not been maintaining your plumbing properly and you have an old leak in your pipes that you have ignored for years, you could be in trouble. The insurance company may not pay up for normal wear and tear.
ProTip: If you’re really worried about leaks, you can buy electronic water sensors. They can send a warning to your smart phone when they detect water.
Get a Roof Inspection
For your roof, the monsoon means going from hot-dry conditions to being soaked with moisture more than ever. Is your roof ready for it? A roof inspection will reveal whether your roof is prepared for a monsoon.
If your roof is damaged by the monsoon and ceiling leaks develop, it is important to take immediate action. Don’t wait for the insurance adjuster to visit. Water damage restoration is a multi-step process that should be handled by an experienced, certified, licensed water restoration expert. We are available 24/7 for water damage emergencies. Calling Commercial Cleaning and Restoration will start the restoration process.
The first thing we need to do ensure that the cause of the water damage has been fixed. The second part of the process involves removing any standing water in the area. We have large water extractors that can remove water very quickly.
ProTip: It is important to always call a professional to make sure all of the water is out of your home. If left too long, you could be looking at mold remediation.
Interesting facts about Monsoon Season...
- Get Flood Insurance
- Prune Your Trees
- Seal Your Windows
- Replace old weather stripping on your doors
WHAT TO DO IF MY PROPERTY IS DAMAGED WHEN IT FLOODS?
CALL OUR 24/7 EMERGENCY HOTLINE FIRST
When you are dealing with water damage, it is vital to take action immediately. By pinpointing any problem the minute it arises, you can stop the it before it can cause additional damage. The sooner that you notice the problem, the less work the we have to do to fix your property.
Standing water can affect your health if it is allowed to sit for too long. Interior flood water can then quickly turn into mold. Exposure to mold can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.
In addition to mold damage, flood water can also cause structural damage to your home. If water has the time to penetrate your home’s framing, the framing will rot and become weak if actions are not quickly taken to remove the water.
INSURANCE CLAIMS FOR WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION
For insurance claims, consider calling your agent or getting a hold of a Commercial Cleaning and Restoration rep first. If you call the claim line, they automatically open a claim whether you decide to use it or not. It will count against you.
We can provide an opinion, a damage quote, and see if a claim is necessary before you report the claim.
MOVE PERSONAL BELONGINGS TO A SAFE PLACE
If your personal belongings are in danger, get your stuff out of the water.
HOW IS MY WATER DAMAGE RESTORED?
Water damage restoration is a multi-step process that should be handled by an experienced, certified, licensed water restoration contractor.
- The first thing we do is stop the cause of the water damage.
- The second part of our process involves removing any standing water in the area. We have large water extractors that can remove water very quickly.
- Once water has been removed, we use special equipment like water meters to assess the damage within the walls.
- Next, we will begin preparation for a thorough drying process by allowing airflow into the walls. Depending on the damage assessment, drying could involve lifting the baseboards or removing damaged walls.
- Dehumidifiers and air movers are brought in to dry the damaged structure thoroughly.
- Once the structure is dry then we are ready to rebuild and make it Like New Again!
Water and flood damage can involve a lot of emotional stress. People often feel confused and vulnerable. Making a good decision when it comes to cleanup is very important because you will be living with the results long after the stress and confusion have passed.
Commercial Cleaning and Restoration is the most trusted name in emergency restoration services in Tucson. Whether you are in need of flood damage restoration, water damage restoration, mold remediation services, carpet cleaning, biohazard cleanup, or restoration and reconstruction, give us a call.
COVID-19 CLEANING SPECIAL
Schedule Carpet Cleaning and Get Your Favorite Binge Watching Chair Cleaned for Free. (a $45 value)
Offer Good July-August 2020
Schedule an appointment now for an after-pandemic floor cleaning. Plus, you will receive a FREE upholstery cleaning of your favorite TV Binge Watching Chair.
*minimum service fee of $120
Call us if you have a mess that can’t wait! We’re in this Together!
