Nestled in between Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, the residents of Long Island are used to having to deal with water damage of one kind or another. Flood and tide waters rise and envelop basements along the coast, sewage systems back up during the winter and can't handle the heavy precipitations. In Spring, snow melt causes additional water damage problems on Long Island. It is located in a Northern zone of the country that frequently sees adverse weather conditions.

Long Island, unlike many of the other boroughs of New York City, is made up of single family homes and duplexes that have traditional gutters and downspouts. These need to be kept clean and unobstructed, particularly during winter months, to avoid water damage. Downspouts should be extended out from the home six to eight feet and the lot itself should be graded so water drains off properly.

From Hempstead to the Hamptons, Long Island is one of the most picturesque and open places in the New York City area. Though not considered by many to be part of the city itself, Long Island is definitely a suburb within striking distance of Manhattan. The municipalities on Long Island are independent and each carries the responsibility of maintaining its water and sewage system, but the crossing roads, like the Long Island Expressway, are subject to water damage also. These fall under the State Highway Department.

The homes and businesses of Long Island are the responsibility of the owners of those buildings. Water damage that is incurred requires private funding to repair and can be avoided with some precautionary measures. Winterizing your home is a good precaution. Have the basement, roof and drainage system inspected and add insulation if needed. Wrap your pipes. Burst pipes can cause significant water damage in the winter and lead to the shutdown of your heating system when you need it the most.

The term ?water damage? can refer to a number of different things. The most obvious that comes to mind is flooding that results from elemental conditions or internal breaks in the plumbing system, but there is much more to it. The initial water damage, when cleaned up, can cause residual problems such as mold and insect infestations. These factors can be damaging to the health of your family and household pets.

To avoid mold build-up, make sure that all areas affected by water damage are dried thoroughly and aired out. Wet wood can be an attractant to termites and carpenter ants. Many of the homes on Long Island are wood structures that were built quite a few years ago and will be opened up to this residual water damage if not treated properly. Hire a water damage professional who knows what they're doing whenever you have a water related problem of any kind. Even better, have some preventative repairs and maintenance done on your home before you have to experience it. If you're going to live in a beautiful place like Long Island, you should live comfortably without the headaches of water damage.