Stop Damage From Flash Flooding in Los Angeles

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Do your gutters look like this? Clean them out to help prevent storm water runoff from flooding the ground floor rooms of your home.

Rainstorms are rare in Los Angeles. Over a full year, we get about a month's worth of rainy days. Most of that rainfall comes between December and March. So with the summer months approaching, why write about rainstorms?

With the Palisades Fire still fresh on our minds, we're reminded that California's wildfires are a year-round concern. Between the large scale loss of vegetation and the near drought, dry conditions, heavy rain could bring the threat of flooding. And with floods so rare in sunny LA, homeowners might be uncertain how to handle one when it does happen.

Here are a few steps to take before and after a storm to prevent water damage to your property from a flash flooding event.

Before a Rainstorm

Before rain is in the weather forecast, there are a few things you can do around your home while it's still sunny and dry.

First, inspect and clean out your gutters. Experts recommend doing this at least twice annually to remove leaves, branches and other debris. It's a dirty and dangerous task, so you may want to hire a professional cleaning service instead of scaling a ladder yourself. Or consider installing gutter filters to keep larger debris from clogging them up.

Clean gutters help prevent water from pooling around your foundation and leaking into basements and crawl spaces.

Second, test your sump pump. "A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin." It is a valuable tool to stop your basement, crawl space or garage from becoming flooded by rain water. But only if it's working!

Plumbers recommend testing your sump pump every 3-4 months. It's easy to test a sump pump yourself. But you should call a licensed plumber to repair or replace your sump pump if you do find a problem.

Don't have a sump pump? Depending on the type, you should be able to have one installed for less than $2,000.00. That may seem expensive, but if it saves you from a flooded basement, you'll be happy you made the investment in your home.

After a Rainstorm

After the storm clouds part and the rain stops, be sure to check ground floor areas for signs of flooding. It's important to remove standing water in your basement or crawl space to prevent mold growth. Damp areas can dry without intervention, but fans and dehumidifiers may be needed to ensure a thorough dry out.

Circle the grounds and look for pools of water and soft spots around your foundation. Gutters and water spouts in good shape? Then you may want to make changes to your landscaping to soak up or help the water flow away from your home.

This is also a good time to look up for signs of water damage as well. Check for water spots on your ceiling, which is a sure sign of a leak in your roof. Inspect your roof for missing shingles, debris and other signs of disturbance and wear.

Flooding Disaster? Call SERVPRO of North Hollywood!

Flooding disasters happen, even to the most prepared property owner. If you discover a flood in your home or business, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood ASAP. We provide an emergency response to any size flooding disaster.

We've been serving North Hollywood and the surrounding Los Angeles community since 2007. As a local, family-owned company with national resources, we're here 24/7 to serve you and your family in your time of need. Call (818) 754-0050, and we'll make a flooding disaster "Like it never even happened."