Heavy rain damages structures in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita has broken a century-old rainfall record. As of mid-morning Monday, the city is at 6.98 inches for the month of November. That beats the last November record of 6.69 inches set in 1909.

The record rains this month are causing issues for homes and buildings. The relatively dry weather a few weeks ago, followed by downpours, makes a bad combination for structures.

Plumbing and foundation repair businesses alike are seeing business pick up as buildings see leaks.

As the head of operations for IWP Foundation Repair , Camden Roach knows his way around a building.

"We've had an exponential amount of calls, especially in the last two weeks," Roach said.

Wichita breaks a 114-year-old record for rainfall

Holes and cracks in sidewalks, foundations, and caulking are all places where water can leak through.

"With that drought, it causes all our Kansas soils to shrink," Roach said. "Now that we're getting these downpours, you have so many nooks and crannies opened up in that soil, and typically, any rain you get around your home, that's going to flow back toward your home."

As that water flows back in, it can cause damage to walls and ceilings.

"We definitely get increased call volume when there is excessive rain," said Devin Self, plumber for Reddi Industries.

It can also cause plumbing problems, particularly with sump pumps that move water out and away from basements.

"Sump pump continuously running that seems to be a pretty popular one. Either that or sump pump not running at all," Self said.

Water doesn't just come into homes. It can also destabilize them.

"That's a huge issue when we see this much rain in this much short of time," Roach said.

Roach says when soil gets wet and expands, it can push on basement walls and cause them to bow inward.

There are things you can do to protect a building, but it starts with being prepared. Make sure there's a sump pump in the building, and bury downspouts at least 12 feet away from the building.

Another important aspect is checking in on caulking in the joints of a sidewalk and around the building.

"Caulking just with age can deteriorate; also, if the slabs of the concrete move at all, that can also cause issues with the caulking and the caulking pulling apart, developing holes," Roach said.

Self says you should inspect and replace your sump pump every six to eight years. It's also important to ensure it has a cover and is clear of debris. He also suggests having a backup pump system or a water alarm that will alert you if your basement starts to fill.