Woodbridge, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/15/2016 -- 1 Stop Mechanical wants the community to have their sump pump and plumbing system inspected before the El Niño hits.
El Niño is warming the waters of the Pacific Ocean and adding moisture to the air, which means more precipitation for the colder regions. Even areas that usually get just a trace of snow will be hit hard. No one has any way of telling how much El Niño will impact a particular area but the National Weather Service says that El Niño's clearest impact on northern hemisphere weather patterns occurs from late fall through winter. This El Niño is going to one of the strongest since 1998.
The upswing in water temperatures from El Niño will cause a wetter than normal winter and spring season. After the El Niño of 1998, areas of Virginia had between 8 and 10 inches of precipitation. So now is the time to get ready for the wet season before it is too late. Winter has just started in the Woodbridge area and if you haven't done so yet, you should take the time to look into your basement and outside surface areas for proper drainage and potential areas for flooding or water damage.
If you are able to address these needs before they arise, you may save yourself a lot of money and a huge headache. In addition, you should be reviewing your homeowner's policies to see what type of coverage you have, especially those areas pertaining to flooding and water damage. Some carriers require different policies or addendums, so make sure you are covered.
So what do you look for? In your basement, look for any signs of previous water damage or standing water. Brown marks or water stains left on the walls are good indicators. If the area seems like it is always moist or wet you have a potential problem.
A sump pump can be a lifesaver for your home because it will work once the water level triggers the pump to turn on. It will continue to push out the water until it stops flowing into the basement. They are typically hardwired into the home's electrical system and should come with a battery backup as well. You should know where all of your shut-off switches are for all gas, electrical and plumbing systems. A secondary power source such as a generator would be helpful, as well, should your power go out during a storm.
Outside your home, check and make sure that all drains around or near the house are cleared of any debris or trash. A couple of minutes is all it takes to clear a grate over a drain, and could prevent a lake-sized flood from appearing in your front yard.
For questions, more information, or help on preparing for El Niño contact 1 Stop Mechanical. Visit their website at http://1stopmechanical.com/.
1 Stop Mechanical
14381 Pine Ln, Suite 9
Woodbridge, VA 22191
571-447-96004381 Pine Ln, Suite 9,