Warm-Up Brings Threat Of Basement Flooding As Snow Melts
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We've all been hoping for warmer weather, so we have a shot at getting rid of some of this ice and snow that has blanketed our area. It's a case of 'be careful what you wish for', because many homeowners will face flooding conditions by Friday due to a predicted rapid warm-up.
Owner of DWF Contractors Daryn Fredericks specializes in water remediation. He says he'll be busy once the warm-up occurs.
"I'm sure we'll see sump pump failures which will cause flooding. We'll see water come in from places it doesn't normally come in -- from walls. People who normally don't ever get water will get water on this."
What can people do to prevent water damage? "Make sure you can get as much of the water to flow away from your home as possible. You want to make sure that your gutters are open enough and not blocked with snow so the water can flow away from your house. You also want to make sure your sump pump drainage line is clear from snow and ice."
And if you can, shovel as much snow away from your home as possible to create a wide buffer so all that water doesn't seep in. If you do get water, make sure you contact your insurance company to double check your coverage as flood damage is generally not covered.
