Spring rain is far above normal, creating demand for home flooding cleanup services

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Home cleanup specialists are being called for their services more often with a spring that so far is far wetter than the norm.

Spring rainfall has come in at 33% higher than normal this year, causing flooding and saturating the ground. The excess water has led to increased demand for the work ServiceMaster does, a company representative said Friday.

The National Weather Service in St.Louis says Columbia has recorded 9.09 inches of rain since March 1, which is up 3.06 inches from the normal of 6.03 inches during that time. Since January, 13.37 inches of rain has fallen on Columbia, which is up 3.17 inches from the normal value of 10.20 inches.

According to The ABC 17 News Stormtrack weather team, mid-Missouri is currently sitting at the 16th wettest April on record with a week to go.

More rain is on the way Friday. Showers and storms are expected again Friday afternoon and evening into Saturday.

The owner of ServiceMaster, Adam Kinser, said the increase in rain has brought non-stop work for their team and they are ready 24/7 to help people get rid of water damage in their homes.

"In this area we have a lot of basements so theres a tendency for those structures to flood. Manholes, drain systems get overran with water and it's hard for the ground and those systems to efficiently remove those water issues like they should," Kinser said.

The GM for Foundation Recovery Systems, Gary Hook, said there are different things homeowners can do to minimize the risk of damage from flooding.

"You know you want would want to ensure that you have the proper drainage around the home, try to minimize the amount of water that gets against the foundation of the home," Hook said.

Hook said homeowners should keep an eye on crawl spaces, gutters, and basements during times of flooding.

Foundation experts say there are ways homeowners can protect their homes, basements and crawl spaces from serious water damage caused by flooding. Those steps include:

•  Making sure gutters and downspouts are clear. Use downspout extensions to move the water well away from the foundation.
• Raise utilities. Water heaters, washing machines and dryers can be raised above the expected flooding levels. Likewise, electrical outlets and wiring can also be permanently moved higher.
• Move valuables. Store valuables in waterproof containers. When possible, store them on an upper floor or at least move them when flooding appears imminent.
• Install flood sensors. These sensors can detect rising water and alert you at once. They can be added to your security system or connect with a smartphone app.
• Add flood vents. These actually allow water into your basement or crawl space to alleviate the buildup of water pressure against the foundation walls. This mitigates the greater damage of collapsing walls.
• Install backflow valves. Make sure any drainpipes entering the house have backflow valves to prevent sewage from backing up into the home.
• Waterproof the basement or crawl space. Add an internal drainage system along with a sump pump with battery backup. This will prevent any leaks before they can develop into serious flooding.