Why Homeowners Should Inspect Their Yard After Every Heavy Thunderstorm

Many homeowners become very happy when a thunderstorm is over. They can turn to the planned things they wanted to do. Still, this routine can make them forget about one more thing: inspecting their home after a thunderstorm. When it is heavy, it may easily cause small cracks or other damage. When those are inspected and cured in a timely manner, this effort can prevent them from turning into major challenges. Speaking about the roof, negligence may cost a lot. If the issue seems minor at a glance, professionals who do the best gutter cleaning in Indianapolis, IN, will share with you real-life cases that can prove to you that the problem may be even more serious than it seems. 

Why Homeowners Should Inspect Their Yard after a Thunderstorm: In Greater Detail

While heavy thunderstorms can end comparatively fast, their effects on a property may be sharply felt for a long time. Of course, lightning may cause visible and considerable damage. Still, heavy water may even cause far more considerable consequences for the property. Intense wind and rainfall steadily hit the yard and property located there, changing its condition over time. In this case, it is best to replace some affected items so they will not be exposed to this risk, to preserve their original state longer. 

Beyond inspecting the property surface, it is also essential to pay attention to the soil. Fewer homeowners know about the importance of checking whether the soil has been washed away; still, it is very important for a reason. When the soil is washed away or moved otherwise, this situation can affect the surrounding plants and trees. In most cases, heavy rainfall can change the way in which the water is circulating simply because of improper drainage. Clogged gutters are often one of the most significant contributors to improper drainage. If you want to prevent this trouble, it is essential to pay attention to regular checks of the gutters and surroundings. Specific issues may flag the problem. When you pay attention to these issues on time, they don’t turn into large-scale problems for your property and landscaping. 

Shifted or Washed-Out Mulch

Mulch is very prone to being affected by heavy rain. A strong downpour can wash loose mulch away from flower beds. Heavy rainfall can even pile mulch against walkways. It is also sometimes accumulated toward low areas of the yard. If you have noticed that mulch has moved significantly, it means that it is flowing across the yard with too much force and can change the surroundings.

You may occasionally notice this during thunderstorms, yet it is crucial to inspect the surroundings carefully afterward. Check carefully areas around trees, garden beds, and slopes for thin or bare patches carefully. Apart from detecting the problem, it is also essential to restore the original appearance of the landscape. Repeated displacements are a sign that the drainage throughout the year is improper. When mulch is collected near the foundation or concentrated around drains, it should be removed immediately. Keeping drainage paths clear will enable water to move away from structures and landscaped areas in a more straightforward way. When it is not collected within certain areas near the foundation or landscaping zones, it will gradually damage them.

Standing Water

At a glance, it's a red flag. When you notice pools of standing water, even small ones, it's a clear sign that your yard is struggling to drain after a storm. To this end, it's good to note that there's generally no need to worry about small puddles. They typically disappear naturally the next day or even sooner. Still, water that remains standing for an extended period is a problem. The reasons for that may be any of the following: compacted soil, poor grading, and most often, clogged drainage systems. Walking around the property after a thunderstorm may help you to see the spots where water accumulates. In this case, it's essential to pay attention to low spots first. Those places near the house, patios, walkways, driveways, garden beds, and similar structures are most prone to accumulating water. 

Standing water is not as harmless as it seems. Repeated standing water creates muddy areas and even contributes to soil erosion. It can also damage lawns and plants. Water collecting close to the foundation is especially dangerous since it can create more serious damage and result in costly repairs. Arranging proper drainage, including on-time gutter cleaning, can help to prevent any inconveniences and costly repairs. 

Check for Exposed Roots and Plants

Heavy rainfall can erode soil and leave roots partially exposed. When you notice this situation, it's never enough to simply cover roots with a thick layer of soil without addressing the underlying cause. Watch this place for some time, especially when water is repeatedly washing soil away. Persistent erosion typically requires more comprehensive landscaping solutions. Over time, such trees can appear unstable and fall during one of the next thunderstorms, causing far more considerable damage or even occasional injury. 

Shrubs, ornamental plants, trees, and garden beds have to be inspected thoroughly as well. If a particular shrub continuously gets damaged by runoff or wind, relocating it or even changing the surrounding landscape may be the only feasible solution. 

Make Post-Thunderstorm Checks Your Habit

The condition of the yard after a thunderstorm can sometimes reveal hidden problems. Issues with the home's drainage system are among the most common ones. When gutters or downspouts become clogged, water may accumulate on the roof or near the foundation, resulting in serious problems over time. The water overflow can easily contribute to displaced mulch, soil erosion, damaged planting beds, etc. 

While a post-thunderstorm yard check does not take long, it helps homeowners identify any issues early before they escalate into serious problems. Inspect the perimeter of your property. Check low areas for standing water, trees, planting beds, shrubs, etc. Look for even minor signs of accumulated water or erosion. Inspections and cleaning made in a timely manner will preserve your peace of mind and budget in the future.