Spring in Stevens Point

Spring in Stevens Point — Water Damage Dangers

Now that it’s beginning to warm up in Wisconsin, the rains increase with the temperature. Even if you
didn’t have a problem with frozen pipes in the winter, you still can experience water damage from the
spring rains.

Maintain Gutters

Well planned gutters support your roof to protect your home. Next time it rains, grab an umbrella and
inspect your gutters to make sure they are catching all of the water and that they’re properly carrying
them away from your home. When debris such as leaves, sticks, dirt, and ice are trapped in gutters,
water is blocked from running freely. We at K-tech Kleening recommend installing downspout extenders
to dump the rain a reasonable distance from your foundation.

When the clouds break in the spring, they can dump huge volumes of water. For a home to withstand
that deluge, all systems have to be working perfectly. The three main causes of spring flooding are
thawing, increased rainfall, and a poorly maintained home infrastructure. Winter is hard on your home;
enter the spring with a well maintained home to prevent typical water damage.

Clear Street Storm Drains

With all the coming sunshine, visually inspect your property for blockages or obstructions that could
prevent any remaining melting snow from draining. Every home’s lawn should slope towards the street.
If yours doesn’t, you need to grade the slope of your lawn away from your home. Consider having french
drains installed on the outside of your home to get the water away from your foundation and out to
your street where it belongs.

So, the last time you shovel the driveway, take a few extra minutes to push snow 3-5 feet away from
your home.

Ensure the Sump Pump is Working

Sump pumps are the modern version of a water bail-out assembly line. When moisture accumulates in a
basement, the sump pump will collect water which is especially useful in areas where the basement is
below the water table level. Sump pumps can sit unused for months or years at a time, but when called
to action they fail. To avoid this from happening, do the following:

1) Test the sump pump to make sure it works. If not, call a professional to troubleshoot and fix any
issues (or if you’re handy get online and do some homework on how to troubleshoot your sump pump).

2) Buy a generator to provide an alternative source of energy if power goes out during a storm. While
batteries can last for a couple of hours, that’s usually not enough time to collect and dispose of the
amount of groundwater that typically sits outside your basement walls during a heavy storm.

Mend Foundation Cracks

During the freezing and thawing, foundation defects may become more pronounced and allow water
seepage and flooding. A solid barrier between the interior and the exterior of your home is key in
preventing spring flooding. Visually inspect your outside pipes for leaks and damage, especially the
outside faucet at the wall.

K-tech Kleening Can Handle It All

The certified K-Tech team has the eyes and experiences to 1) prepare for spring or 2) help you clean up
after water damage. If you are looking for professional help for water damage restoration in Minocqua,
Call 715-496-2955 for the immediate response to restore your property in pre-damaged condition.
Contact us anytime you need help and we will rush to your location in Central Wisconsin with a fleet of
vehicles, specialized equipment, and an experienced staff.