4 Ideas To Prevent Water Damage To Your Home

Fall not only brings beautiful Fall colors but normally lots of rain. This week at the farmhouse has been a wet one. How about where you are? We have also seen recent floods and hurricanes, you wouldn’t be remiss to think it has come early.  But, there is evidence to suggest the worst is yet to come from a precipitation point of view. A storm may not turn into a hurricane but expect plenty more rainfall as the fall turns into winter. We as homeowners need to be extra careful because one downpour can cause catastrophic damage, and storm damage can be pretty difficult to deal with once it happens.

Here are four suggestions which will help protect your home against severe weather.

Get On Top Of The Gutters

Not literally because that’s a health and safety issue. But, keeping the gutters clear is an excellent way to keep the water flowing away from the house. This is probably the #1 overlooked problem that can cause damage to your roof and foundation. In truth, rainwater management solutions are usually more complicated. Speaking of hands, get ready to roll up your sleeves and muck out dead leaves and mulch. Sadly, there isn’t an easy way to clear the gutters. Until such time, man or womanpower is the only way to redirect rainfall.

Cover The Gaps

When you think of a gap, not many springs to mind. Houses try to keep the elements out and the hot air in, so a hole is unnecessary. But, there are examples which lead to floods and water damage. Do you have any air vents in the exterior of the building? If so, the water can seep through the gaps in the vent and run into the house. Air conditioning units often have releases to remove dirty air and circulate clean water. Now that the weather is about to turn, there is no reason to leave these gaps open. When you do turn the air conditioner unit on again, be sure to remove any coverings so the unit will operate properly.

Open The Drains

Many homes have sump pumps to deal with downpours or water that gathers around the home foundation. Under extenuating circumstances, however, a drain is an emergency flood system and some cities have storm drains. All you have to do is open a manhole cover and let the water run into the sewer directly. Because manholes are quite sizeable, it should swallow up the majority of the water. For homes where rainfall runs off an elevated surface, this method is particularly useful. Directing water to the nearest furrow is another fantastic way to deal with a downpour.

Check Sealants

Most windows and doors use a quality sealant which is waterproof. Still, the substance can erode and weaken over time. If the sealant isn’t up to standard any longer, the water will pour through. Adding a new layer is an obvious solution, but you have to be proactive. Otherwise, you will find out the hard way that the mix isn’t waterproof. A tip: don’t apply it to a wet surface. Funnily enough, the doors and windows have to be bone dry for the substance to work.

Time Is Now

You still have time to seal up your home before winter hits.  Take a look at you exterior doors & windows. Do they need new sealant? Are your exterior vents closed for the winter? Winterize the air conditioner unit, and if possible cover. Check your sump pump, if you have one. Autumn showers are on the way and these four suggestions may stop it being an overly wet one. 

Thanks for stopping by…..see you soon.