Flooded Basements and Wet Feet in Elmsford, NY

Yesterday and into today, we were given some much needed rain. But it fell pretty hard and fast, causing some  areas to get flooded. We received a call already from a client in Elmsford, NY who's basement has several inches of water in it. When your home or business is located in in low-lying areas like Elmsford, NY, you are at greater risk for water infiltration, even with a small amount of rain. And if you have a basement, you can assume that the water will be headed for it because when it comes to water, gravity rules.

If you cant afford a total home makeover, I suggest starting with the least expensive option, buy a sump pump, or two. The sump pumps should be placed in the lowest points of your basement and having more than one pump will provide back up in case the something goes wrong with the other. Two is always better than one. If water enters your basement, the sump pumps will turn on and do their job, removing the excess water and expelling it into a slop sink, drain, bucket or outside. But installing your sump pump properly is very important. As I saw too frequently during Hurricane Irene, many home and business owners lost power, thus, making their sump pumps obsolete. The solution is simple, have your sump pumps installed properly and have a backup power source. Even a small generator that runs on any alternative power will do the trick, as long as you do proper maintenance on a regular basis. The very last thing that you would want to happen is to have the power go out and get to your basement only to discover that your generator will not start.

A more advanced solution to flooding basements is to have a french drain system installed below the soil line around the perimeter of your homes foundation. These systems carry excess water away from your home and the ground surrounding it and expel it into the street or to an underground dry well. The perforated pipes can be a material as simple as PVC or more advanced materials depending on your needs. French drain systems can be installed professionally or by a savvy do-it-yourselfer. The choice is yours.

Finally, there are several professional companies that provide basement systems to prevent any water infiltration. These basement sealing systems have proven very effective, and many times are guaranteed for years by the company that installs it. Without getting into every step of the process, they seal out water from entering your basement, from floors to walls, interior to exterior. But each home is different and some companies have a variety of materials and methods.

Educating yourself about the options that are available to you can save you a headache in the long run. Preventing water damage in your home is essential. As my Dad always says, "An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold!"......... I think he just makes this stuff up out of thin air (LOL) ! Stay dry out there!

Cold Weather Reminder for Westchester County

I just want to remind everyone out there in Westchester County, NY and those in the tri-state area that the weather is changing tonight! The temperature is expected to dip down to about 18 degrees by midnight and then continue to drop thru the early morning, possibly getting as low as 12 degrees! When the weather gets this cold, I always get phone calls from clients with water in their home due to burst pipes. Remember to shut off all of your outdoor water faucets and sources, making sure that there is no remaining water in the pipes. Sprinkler systems and outdoor faucets that are not prepared properly for the freezing temperatures can absolutely burst. These lines must be "bled", which basically means removing the remaining water in the pipes after the main shut-off valve is turned off. Even if there is only a little bit of water in these pipes, they can burst when the temperature drops below freezing. Water expands when it freezes, thus causing pipes to crack, break and burst. Also remember that on days like this, when it is very cold and very windy, check the areas that surround your home. If you see any hanging branches that are lurking dangerously close to your roof, gutters, or windows, call a professional company to have them removed. Many times, it only takes one strong gust of wind to break branches from the trees near our homes. If the branches are big enough, they can leave massive damage in their wake; holes in roofs, shattering windows, or ripping off gutters. Even small branches and leaves that get blown about in windy weather can clog up gutters. You might not even realize that your gutters are clogged until the next rain storm, when water starts seeping into your house because the gutters cant carry it away. Being vigilant about keeping your home safe and periodically checking gutters, trees, and the foundation of your house can prevent a high priced remediation and reconstruction job. Stay warm this winter but most importantly, stay safe. If you do find that your having a problem with water, mold, smoke, soot, fire or sewage, and you live in the Westchester County area, give us a call. We have proudly serviced Scarsdale, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Ardsley, Bedford, Mamaroneck, Chappaqua, Purchase, Rye, Eastchester, Bronxville, White Plains, Yonkers, Tuckahoe, NYC, and Connecticut. We answer your emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

MICHAEL BOWERMAN - PRESIDENT

BOWERMAN RESTORATION LLC - EXPERTS IN DISASTER RECOVERY
STORM, WATER, FLOOD, MOLD, SEWAGE, FIRE, SMOKE & SOOT REMEDIATION
17 JEAN LANE, HARTSDALE, NY 10530

WEB:   http://www.bowermanrestoration.com/
E-MAIL:   michael@bowermanrestoration.com
CELL:   914-804-5737
OFFICE:   914-674-1499
TOLL FREE:   800-638-4799