7 Tips To Protect Your Property From Heaving Rains

Water is the enemy of any building. The entire purpose of a building is to protect the contents and occupants from rain, heat, and cold. When heavy spring rains hit, they can create a long list of problems -- including flooding, infestations, mold, and more. Here are seven tips to help you keep your property safe and dry, no matter how much rain comes down this spring.

1. Schedule a roof inspection.

No matter what kind of roof your facility has, it can be damaged by high winds, extreme temperatures, heavy Long Island snows, and debris. An inspection can help you pinpoint areas where roofing materials have broken, shrunk, loosened, or otherwise degraded. Even if you haven't developed a leak yet, small, damaged spots can allow water to infiltrate over time. This will result in more damage later on, which will be increasingly complicated and expensive to fix. All of this is especially important if your building has a flat roof. Flat roofs are more subject to leaks. Pay particular attention to any areas where pipes or wiring pass through, as these are naturally more vulnerable.

2. Check gutters and downspouts.

Gutters and downspouts are what catch runoff and direct it away from your building. Everyone knows that they can't do this if they're clogged, but clogs aren't the only thing that can make a gutter not do its job. Gutters that are at the wrong angle won't work effectively, and downspouts that are too short or positioned incorrectly can end up sending rainwater right into your foundation. Keep an eye out not only for clogs, but for loose and badly-positioned gutters and downspouts. If your building has weep holes, include these in your inspection. Many facilities perform landscaping duties in early spring, including refreshing mulch. It's very easy for mulch to get tossed in front of weep holes, blocking them and keeping them from letting the building drain and breathe as it needs to. Know where they are and make sure they stay clear.

3. Trim any overhanging trees.

As part of your spring landscaping, make sure to trim any overhanging trees or other foliage that's in danger of blowing onto your roof or gutter system. Branches can damage roofs, and leaves and twigs can block gutters. Heavy runoff from large trees can also direct water where you don't want it to go. Keep them neatly trimmed, for their own health and the health of your building.

4. Clear your drains.

After roofs, gutters, and downspouts, storm drains are your next defense against rainwater. Your roof lets rain run into the gutter, which moves it to the downspout, which carries it away from your building's foundation. Ideally, the rainwater would then drain away into a nearby storm drain. If that drain is blocked by leaves, debris, or trash, that water is going to sit there and potentially cause a flood. Make sure that these drains are kept clear and able to do their jobs effectively.

5. Inspect your parking lot.

Cold New York winters often alternate with sunny days, which means that snow and ice get ample opportunity to freeze, melt, and refreeze. This wreaks havoc on parking lots as snowmelt works its way down into tiny cracks and chips in the pavement, then freezes and expands as ice causing some real damage. Tiny cracks widen and lengthen, and chunks of pavement can even work loose and create potholes. While it might not seem like it at first, this is a major problem when heavy spring rains hit. If a parking lot or other paved surface is damaged, it can divert rain away from storm drains and let it collect elsewhere. Potholes and cracks don't just make parking lots uncomfortable and unsafe; they can increase the risk of water damage to other parts of your property.

6. Keep an eye out for any holes or other areas of ingress.

As water rises, rats, insects, and other vermin start seeking dry areas. That means that heavy rains can increase the risk of an infestation of vermin. Don't wait for them to show up in order to take care of the problem -- be proactive by looking for and sealing up any gaps or holes that could let them in.

7. Be ready for an emergency.

If heavy rains hit, you need to be prepared. Have a list of qualified repair crews who can take care of any damage to roofs, windows, or other parts of your building. Have wet-dry vacs, fans, and other supplies for handling floods. Sandbags are another helpful tool for directing water away from your buildings. Water infiltration and damage worsen over time, so having these things ready to go will help minimize the cost and disruption to your facility. Rain is a pain to deal with. Once it's found its way into your building, the problem tends to just get worse instead of better. Stay on top of maintenance tasks for your roof, gutters, landscaping, storm drains, and any other areas that help keep your buildings safe and dry.

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