Spring brings reprieve to every home owner in the U.S, but over the last two decades, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has decried unpredictable storms leading to floods. The National Weather Service Forecast Office has indicated over 63% homes are at risk of spring flooding, highlighting the gravity of the issue.
Exploring Risks during Spring Flooding in Chicago IL 60290
Most home owners are still skeptical about the dangers that come with spring floods, but a casual highlight of some of these will jolt you to the reality of this phenomenon:
- Spring rain: The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has reported an average 79% chance of rain storms during the season. Several inches of precipitation leads to saturation of the ground and your foundation will be worse off leading to basement floods and structural damage.
- Spring snow melt: Thawing of snow might seem harmless, but for your home, this is a risk you cannot ignore. With limited chances of seeping into the ground due to frozen land, thawing snow will run along your foundation walls eventually seeping to the foundation.
- Flash flooding: This is the riskiest aspect of spring flooding because it not only causes basement flooding, but also structural damage. Intense rain within a short time and reduced surface runoff leads to stagnant water next to the walls. This can lead to leakage, eventually flooding your basement.
With all this flood water, you can bet levees and river banks will burst and this in turn leads to more dangers for your home. In essence, every type of precipitation during this season poses a threat to your home’s foundation.
Precautionary Measures against Spring Flooding in Chicago IL 60290
It might be a hackneyed phrase, but prevention is always better than cure. Well, FEMA and the National Restoration Association recommend these approaches to prime your property to cope with spring flooding in Chicago IL 60290. Take a look:
- Sump pit installation and maintenance: A sump pit guarantees you peace of mind knowing that any water in the pit will be discharged out to avoid basement flooding and foundation damage. The pump must be regularly checked to optimize its performance.
- Lot landscaping: After construction, the land next to your foundation settles thus sloping towards the walls. This is risky in case of flooding and you need an expert to fill the grade until it slopes away from the walls thus avoiding structural damage and leaking in the basement.
- Drainage unclogging, repair and modification: Gutters and downspouts must be cleaned to allow fast drainage and their discharge pipes extended away from the walls. This ensures your walls do not come into contact with roof runoff, which can stagnate, leading to seepage.
- Flood insurance: If you live in a flood prone area, you need flood insurance on top of your home insurance. This gives you peace of mind and financial reprieve in case of floods.
With this hindsight, isn’t it time you called a qualified foundation expert to diagnose any foundation vulnerability and rectify it to avert spring flooding devastation?
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