As of March 20th, Spring is finally upon us. With wintertime finally drawn to a close, homeowners are swapping out snow shovels and road salt for lawn mowers and flower pots. If there’s anything the Northern Hemisphere understands about springtime, it’s that one can expect lots of rain; and “April showers bring May flowers” is especially true this year. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts a “mild and wet” spring with “plenty of thunderstorms”, particularly in the central and eastern states of the U.S.; and while a good rainfall is good for plants and wildlife, storms can take a toll on homes, businesses, and our everyday lives. 

In America, flooding is the most common natural disaster, often caused by the overflow of water from rivers, lakes, and coasts. Even a heavy storm is enough to set off a flash flood, covering streets, highways, and yards with water. But perhaps a bigger concern of the average citizen are dangerous driving conditions. During storms and even mild rainfall, visibility worsens, stopping times increase, and the risk of a traffic accident rises dramatically. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration states that of the almost 6 million car crashes that occur each year, about one fifth are related to weather, the number-one cause being wet pavement and rainfall. 

This rainy season, however, is not likely to be our last. With climate change and the warming of the planet, yearly rainfall is expected to steadily increase. According to studies conducted by NASA, rainfall could as much as double by the end of the century. With wet days ahead, it’s wise to prepare your home for any flooding and runoff that may occur by installing or updating outdoor drains, and protecting them with Drain Defender.

The post Preparing for Spring 2021 appeared first on Drain Defender.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold can grow in “paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery”, in addition to any areas of the home with a lot of moisture (“Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness”). So how do you know if your home has mold? Common signs are a musty odor and discoloration of surfaces and fabrics, like carpets. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) website states, “At especially high risk for mold growth [is] carpeting located below ground level in basements,” (Gromicko). Professional carpet cleaning services can cost up to $2,000 while DIY treatments require scrubbing the affected toxic areas with bleach or dishwashing detergent. However, if the suspected mold is a result of flooding and the carpet is wet for a substantial amount of time, it is likely you will have to replace the carpet altogether. The cost for carpet replacement is anywhere between $700 and $2500.

As the InterNACHI puts it, “The best method for combating mold is to not allow mold growth in the first place”, (Gromicko). Easier said than done, right? Well, on the list of possible threats for mold, you can cross off basement flooding from clogged outdoor drains. The Drain Defender is a cover that is placed over your existing drain to prevent debris and leaves from causing water buildup. It is ideal for use in walk-out basements and will help keep you out of the 1 in 50 insured homes that will file a claim for water-related property damage this year. No more soggy carpets and no more mold from flooding.

SOURCES:

Gromicko, Nick. “Carpet Mold: Identification, Prevention and Removal.” NACHI, International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, https://www.nachi.org/carpet-mold.htm#:~:text=Inhaling%20or%20touching%20mold%20or,a llergic%20reactions%20in%20sensitive%20individuals.&text=Molds%20can%20also%20cause% 20asthma,allergic%20and%20non%2Dallergic%20people. 23 July, 2020.

Howard, Leah. “How to Get Mold out of Carpet”. Second Nature, Second Nature Home Wellness, https://www.secondnature.com/blog/around-the-house/removing-mold-from-carpet. 23 July, 2020.

“Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance.” III, Insurance Information Institute, 2018, https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance. 23 July, 2020.

“Can You Save Carpet After a Flood?” CONSTRUCTEAM, https://www.restoreitright.com/can-you-save-carpet-after-a-flood/. 23 July, 2020.

“Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Dec, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm. 23 July, 2020.

The post Mold appeared first on Drain Defender.