Before Preparing Your Turkey, Prepare Your Home for Winter Storm Boreas
Wild weather is ripping across the nation, and the massive winter storm Boreas will be arriving in the tri-state area on the busiest travel day of the year – the day before Thanksgiving. In addition to 40-mph wind gusts, heavy, driving rains will soak the area at a rapid rate, according to The Weather Channel.
What does that mean for Turkey Day? Hopefully no flooding. Our parched yards (the soil is hard due to lack of rain and freezing temperatures) are going to meet some wet weather, and that can lead to flooding, and flooding, to mold growth. Here’s how…
When a large amount of rain falls in a short amount of time on very dry soil, water cannot be absorbed at the same rate that the rain is falling. So it travels, as it needs to go somewhere. That ‘somewhere’ might be your basement. And if your basement floods, mold is not far behind.
Here are some tips to prepare your home for winter storm Boreas:
Tip 1: Be sure your gutters and downspouts are free from leaves and debris.
Hopefully, you have already cleaned out your gutters. If not, now is the time to do it. With the abundant amounts of leaves that just fell, gutters can become clogged when heavy rains occur. When that happens, the water cannot be channeled away from your house. A flooded basement can result. So, make sure your gutters, downspouts, and outside drains are clear of debris.
Tip 2: Prepare your basement.
If you think you’re vulnerable to flooding, check your basement floor drains to be sure they are not blocked. Remove anything from the floor or next to windows that you do not want to get wet. If there are boxes or any other cellulose materials on the floor, place them on tables or crates to alleviate direct contact with water. Once wet, they can rot or turn moldy.
Tip 3: Anticipate leaks in advance, if you can.
Some of us already know where there are trouble spots in our homes. Place towels and buckets on the floor in the affected areas. If you know a window leaks, secure towels in that area before the rain begins. In heavy rains, you may need to change the towels and empty the buckets several times. Luckily, this should occur the day before Thanksgiving, leaving the holiday free for family, friends, feasting, and football. Most importantly, once the rain and leaks have stopped, remove the wet towels and buckets from the area immediately, or you risk mold growth, which can start in as little as 24 hours.
If you have concerns about mold growth in your home, have a certified mold inspector in to test and assess the damage and give you options as to how to fix it. Mold can cause serious health problems, including asthma, coughs and wheezing in otherwise healthy people. Let’s hope the only flooding this Thanksgiving is from an overabundance of gravy!
