When it comes to disasters, flooding is one of the most destructive around. For people who live in flood-prone areas, staring at the skies and watching nearby water sources for signs of an impending flood is just a part of life. But what if the flooding comes from a source you can’t see? This is often the case with groundwater flooding. In houses with basements, groundwater can trickle in through the foundation, damaging walls, flooring, furniture, and anything else kept there. Flooding can then lead to other problems, including mold.
As a Lynwood homeowner, you know how important protecting your real estate venture is. Preventing flooding in your rental home is not only important in safeguarding your asset but also in sustaining a livable and attractive rental property. No occupant will put up with repeat floods or an underground room that is so moist they can’t use it. If groundwater levels outside the basement become higher than the level of the floor, water can leak through any vulnerable cracks or holes in the foundation. Stormwater can also present a risk, particularly in older homes with uneven leveling or sewer systems linked straight to the city storm drain.
Fortunately, there is something you can do to keep your rental home dry and undamaged. The best approach to control groundwater is to establish a perimeter drain system. Depending on your property, you might need either an above-slab gutter system, which is installed at the bottom of the exterior foundation walls, or a below-slab drainage system, which is installed into the floor slab itself. While either drainage system might work, industry experts tend to think that under-floor drainage systems are more useful in diverting groundwater away from the foundation.
Even though drainage systems might seem expensive at first, when compared to the potential loss of property value and revenue that flooding can bring, a drainage system may save you the cost of expensive repairs in the long run. It’s important to have your property assessed often so you can fix potential groundwater issues quickly.
At Real Property Management North Puget Sound, we have the expertise you need to prevent future groundwater issues. We are dedicated to helping property owners look after the value and profitability of their Lynwood rental homes, and we offer a range of services to suit any circumstances. Would you like to learn more? Please contact us online or call us at 425-903-8500 for more information.