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Flood damage to Atlanta homes can happen for many reasons, many of which are avoidable. The greatest cause of residential flooding is usually related to plumbing mishaps, weakened foundations, and landscaping issues. Flood damage can leave behind a lot of damage that is expensive to fix, which is why it is important to take care of potential problems sooner rather than later. Plumbing Problems Hundreds of gallons of water are flowing through the pipes in your home as you read this. You expect the water to move through your home’s pipes and drains with ease, but that isn’t always the case. Everyday plumbers respond to calls from panicked homeowners, because their basements have flooded, or they’re standing in a puddle of water in their bathrooms. The following is a list of plumbing problems that can quickly cause massive problems and costly water damage: - Undetected slab leaks
- Clogged toilets
- Leaky or broken pipes
- Corroded pipes
- Damaged sewer lines
- Improperly installed piping
- Broken sump pumps
If you notice an issue with water backing up into sinks after flushing the toilet, a higher than normal water bill with usual usage, or you hear water running through the pipes in your walls when the water isn’t on, call a plumber immediately. These are good indications that something is wrong with your pipes and needs attention right away. Foundation Issues Does your home’s basement have cracks forming along its walls? While floor cracks are normal, fissures that move up and down or side-to-side on foundation walls need to be examined by a contractor. Anytime there is a crack on the inside or outside of a home’s foundation, there is the potential for water to creep in. Your home’s foundation walls are not meant to hold water. After a while, the concrete will weaken, and the home can sink or experience other structural issues. Structural repairs are expensive to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. Don’t risk your home’s structural integrity, or get in a situation where you have to move from your house to fix flood damage. Landscaping Problems Most foundation issues are directly related to landscaping problems. When a house is built, the yard should be graded in such a way that water from the gutters flows away from the home. Homes that have a poorly graded yard may find that instead of rain water moving away from the home, it actually puddles around the foundation. The ground and your home’s foundation will absorb this water, which, ultimately, can lead to foundation failure and flooding. Another safeguard you can put in place is to plant flowers, plants, and other vegetation several feet from your home’s foundation. By doing this, you’re keeping water away from the foundation and preventing puddling. After a Flood Even if you take every precaution, there are still times when a pipe may burst, or a sump pump fails during a heavy rainstorm. If you’re faced with unexpected flooding from a plumbing issue, the first thing to do is to locate the main shut-off valve to stop water from continuing to flow. Next, you’ll want to call your local plumber. Once repairs have been made to pipes, your foundation, or grading problems remedied, you’ll want to contact a water restoration company to help you get your home dry as a bone again. Flood damage to Atlanta homes can cause mold and health concerns. It can render your home uninhabitable, which is why getting everything touched by the water dry as quickly as possible should always be the #1 goal of homeowners affected by flooding.
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