Storms come and go, but is water left to pool in your yard? For those with a home on or near the Chattahoochee, there are concerns when the heavy rains set in. One would be wise to know what to watch for so as not to let a minor issue become a flooded basement.
We at Fortress Leak Detection & Restoration put our clients in Metro Atlanta at ease when it comes to water damage. A Roswell company by way of ownership and operation, we have an intimate knowledge of the river and the area. Give us a ring at (470) 291-4099.
There is no denying the Chattahoochee is a fine feature of life in Roswell and the communities around it. Yet it is a source of genuine flood risk in a region that has its share of deluges every year. The more proximate your home is to the river or to poor drainage, the more you should be on the lookout for early indicators.
The Stakes are Higher with the Chattahoochee
From Sandy Springs to Roswell and further out in Metro Atlanta, the river makes its way through it all. Put down enough rain in a short time and the river along with its tributaries will make a quick rise. The runoff from such storms has to be absorbed and too often it is the basements and crawlspaces of the neighbourhood.
For the most part though, you will have some forewarning before water is in your living room. It is a matter of recognising the clues your property puts out.
What to Look for on Your Property
You will see the first red flags in the ground and around the foundation of your home:
- Rain may have ceased but standing water remains in the yard for hours
- The soil close to the foundation is spongy or perpetually wet
- Water is making new paths, leaving small gullies or erosion in its wake
- Downspouts and gutters are surrounded by pooling
- After a storm your mulch, gravel or other landscaping has been washed away
- New cracks in the driveway, walkway or foundation
These are telltale signs of drainage issues that leave your home exposed the next time a big rain comes through.
Indoors
The risk is not confined to the outdoors; inside you can be in for trouble. Be alert to any of the following:
- A mustiness to the air in the crawlspace or basement
- Staining on the lower portions of interior walls
- White chalky efflorescence on concrete from moisture
- Paint peeling or drywall bubbling at floor level
- Humidity that is hard to get rid of
- In corners and closets, the growth of mold or mildew
It is common for homeowners to put these things down to normal wear. But a damp wall is usually the first indication that water is intruding.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
You need to have some local insight. The back-to-back storms that plague the Roswell area are what cause the most problems. Once the ground is saturated, there is no place for the next storm’s water to go and the Chattahoochee and its creeks will overflow.
If you are in a low spot or downhill from a large paved expanse, a forecast of heavy rain is reason enough to inspect your property. Heed the flood advisories for the river.
When You See the Signs
To stave off a disaster one must act on them. There is much to be done with better grading, sealing the foundation and the like. Should you find yourself with standing water or damage, a prompt professional is called for.
Fortress Leak Detection & Restoration is here to help. We do it all, from leak detection and restoration of water and fire damage to remodeling for homes in and around Metro Atlanta: Atlanta, Augusta, Woodstock, Kennesaw, Marietta, Alpharetta, Acworth, Smyrna and Sandy Springs. An emergency does not observe business hours and neither do we, we are on hand 24/7. We can also put financing in place for unanticipated repairs.
Do not put it off until the next storm exacerbates the situation. Contact us at (470) 291-4099 and our team will put your mind at ease about protecting your home by the Chattahoochee.