10 Effective Ways to Prevent Water Damage During the Rainy Season

2/27/2025 (Permalink)

Rain falling on a rooftop

10 Effective Ways to Prevent Water Damage During the Rainy Season

Even a small leak could cause serious water damage when the rainy season arrives. Water gradually trickles inside, soaking your floors, walls, or furniture and encouraging bacterial growth. You may notice sagging ceilings, wet patches on the floor, black splotches on the wall,l and mysterious respiratory issues.

Once you learn how to prevent water damage during the rainy season, you'll reduce your risk of leaks, keeping your property clean and dry. Many of these tasks protect your home throughout the year, so make them part of your maintenance routine.

1. Inspect Your Roof

A roof inspection once or twice a year could protect your home from leaks and storm damage. Inspectors check your roof for cracked shingles, damaged gutters, unsealed vents, and other issues. They'll also check your attic for weak spots, such as poor insulation, rotting wood, pest infestations, and mildew growth. Afterward, your inspector gives you a report and makes recommendations.

If your roof needs maintenance, they may give you a price estimate. Taking care of small issues now could prevent costly repairs and protect your house from water leaks. Consider replacing your roof once it's 20 years old for older houses.

2. Check Your Foundation

Over time, your foundation can shift, developing cracks and holes that allow water to seep into your basement and crawlspace. Storm damage could worsen the cracks. Hire an inspector to check your foundation, then make repairs as necessary. Professionals can also waterproof your basement to reduce the risk of floods and protect your belongings.

3. Buy a Sump Pump

If you already have a sump pump, invest in one. Sump pumps reside in a basin on your basement floor. When the sensor detects rising waters, the device pumps water out of your house and sends it through the discharge line, which empties the water outside. This prevents floods that could ruin your basement.

Test the device by pouring water into the basin if you have a sump pump. The sump pump should drain the water away from your property. Sump pumps can go bad after long periods of non-use, so call a professional if the water isn't draining. You might need to order a replacement.

4. Use Sandbags

If you live in a high-risk area for floods, sandbags create a wall around your house that blocks the flow. Some water might seep through, but sand is a durable material that withstands strong forces, minimizing property damage. This tactic requires much time and effort but could save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.

Grab a few friends to help you fill burlap sacks 2/3rds of the way with sand, then build a sandbag wall around your house. Layer the bags like bricks to minimize cracks. Inside, place sandbags over your drains to avoid sewage backup.

5. Clean Your Gutters

Your gutter system draws rainwater away from your house. When rain trails down the roof, your gutters collect the water and drain it through downspouts. This prevents water build-up that could damage your home's structural integrity.

As you learn how to prevent water damage during the rainy season, start cleaning your gutters once or twice a year. Dead leaves, branches, and other debris build up in your gutters, causing blockages if you're not careful. This traps the rainwater and creates standing puddles.

Cleaning your gutters could even become a neighborhood event. Learn more about setting up HOA events to involve everyone on the street.

6. Seal Your Windows

Floodwater tends to leak through cracks around your doors and windows. Check the seals to ensure they're airtight, and replace damaged seals as quickly as possible. Make sure you close and lock your doors and windows before the storm hits.

You could also invest in impact glass for your windows. Impact glass looks like regular glass but withstands strong forces, making it less likely to crack during a storm. Sleet, hail, strong winds, and projectiles don't dent the surface.

7. Install a Flood Detection System

Flood detection systems alert you when they detect excess moisture, allowing you to quickly take action. Some devices send you smartphone notifications so that you can protect your property while you're away. They may shut off water valves automatically to reduce the risk of water damage.

You can install flood detection systems in places most susceptible to flooding, such as your attic, garage, or basement. Advanced systems attach directly to your water main and can shut off the entire water supply.

8. Secure Outdoor Objects

Strong winds can pick up unsecured items, such as lawn chairs, umbrellas, tables, and toys, and throw them against your house. The impact could crack a window or damage your walls, inviting water inside. When a storm is on the way, store your belongings inside and ensure that anything you can't move is securely bolted down.

Likewise, trim your trees to prevent loose branches from hitting your house. Look into professional tree removal if you have a dead or angled tree that could fall over and land on your property. One harsh wind could knock the tree over.

9. Elevate Your Valuables

Floodwaters could ruin your jewelry, photo albums, birth certificates, family heirlooms, electronics, and other valuables. Before the storm, seal your valuables in waterproof containers and store them in high areas, such as cabinets or high shelves. People who live in multi-story homes can store their valuables on the upper levels.

Basements are particularly prone to flooding, so ensure you're not storing anything you don't want to lose. If you stash items in your attic, check the space for leaks first. Rain exposure is just as dangerous as floodwater.

10. Clean Your Storm Drains

Storm drains are built into the street to collect excess rainwater and carry it to nearby waterways. Blocked storm drains lead to standing water that could leak into your house. Periodically, check your nearest storm drains for dead leaves, paper, and other debris. Trash can end up in the storm drain, so avoid littering.

Where to Find Mold Remediation

Water build-up creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can damage your property and cause flu-like symptoms. To remediate mold, reach out to SERVPRO®. We'll stop the spread, eliminate the mold, and clean, dry, and disinfect your property to prevent further growth. Our experts also show you how to prevent water damage during the rainy season in the future.