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How to Protect Your Home against Heavy Rain

heavy-rain-causing-floodingWhen you think about Evanston in the winter, or really any part of Chicagoland, you likely think about snow. Snow and snowmelt do indeed pose a threat to the integrity of your home, but there is another concern that not too many homeowners think about, and that’s rain.

The last thing you need to deal with this winter is a flooded basement or any other type of water-related damage. The good news is, there are Evanston, IL plumbing systems that can help! No, they won’t stop the rain or snowmelt of course, but they can absolutely prevent the damage that can occur due to winter weather.

Is Your Sump Pump in Good Shape?

Your sump pump is tasked with removing excess water from the lowest point in your home—in most cases this is going to be the basement. Your sump pump is essentially a water pump. It used electricity to power an impelled motor that draws water from an excavated collection pit—this is the sump. The water is then ushered into the wastewater system of your plumbing, or into a well.

Sump pumps are fantastic appliances for managing flooding, and are also helpful in areas with high water tables that cause moisture to seep down into the basement. There are two different types of sump pumps, so if you don’t already have one installed but are interested in learning more, please reach out to our team today!

Have a Storm Drainage System Installed

Water accumulation on your property is not only an ugly sight, it can also become unhygienic. Soggy yards and landscaping lead to issues such as excessive insect population, leaks in your foundation, mold growth inside your property and out in the surrounding area, and much more.

A professionally installed storm drain system, though, will allow you to avoid this. Consider adding foundation drains on your property, in addition to catch basins or rain barrels.

Preparing for Heaving Rain

Making sure you have the right plumbing systems in place is vital to protecting your property from the heavy rains that come every year. Utilizing these systems is important, but there’s more you can do to protect your home from heavy rain, such as:

  • Clearing the Gutters: The gutters of your home exist to catch rainfall, and ensure that rainfall stays away from the foundation of your home. But if these gutters are too clogged up with leaves and other debris, they can’t do their job effectively.
  • Checking for Leaks: Do you see any discoloration or soggy spots on your ceiling? This might be due to roof damage that has allowed moisture from outside to make its way it. As the rain picks up, this problem will only grow worse. It’s a good idea to have leaks sealed up as soon as possible.
  • Sealing Windows and Doors: Do your windows and doors allow air in, or out? The thing is, if you have drafty windows and doors, then the heat from your heater (and the conditioned air from your cooling system) are allowed to escape from your home when you need it the most. This is highly inefficient, causing you to pay more for heating and cooling than you should have to.
  • Inspecting Your Basement: If you have a functional sump pump in place, you’re in good shape already. However, you should still do an inspection of your basement and ensure that any electrical connections required for appliances in your basement are at least a couple feet off of the ground. This is to protect your electrical connections, and your safety, should your home be flooded.

For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!

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