This Spring we have had so much rain! I thought it would be good to share some practical ways to protect your home from leaks and flooding. Water can do a lot of damage to the value of your home and so it is important to take measures to ensure your home is protected.
- Replace your roof before it leaks. Don’t wait for your roof to leak before replacing the shingles; watch for shingle wear, missing shingles and curling as signs to replace them.
- Fix cracks immediately. Foundation cracks allow water to get into your home, especially critical in the cold weather when the water can freeze and expand potentially causing cracks to increase in size. Always fix cracks in the foundation with mortar, masonry caulk or hydraulic cement as soon as you can.
- A negative grade towards the house is a negative feature. Ensure that the grade of the land surrounding your house is on a slope that will move water away from your house and foundation – do not allow water to puddle around the circumference of your home.
- Spring for extra roof protection. When it’s time to replace your roof, spend a few hundred dollars more to install a rubber roof underlayment, a waterproof barrier that goes under the shingles and protects the roof from water intrusion.
- Clear gutters and drains. Keep gutters and drainage systems clear to carry water away from your home.
- Invest in a battery-powered backup sump pump system. This way when the power is out or if there’s a mechanical issue with your primary sump pump, your secondary, battery powered sump pump will pump water out of your home.
- Install a water detection alarm. This is a simple and inexpensive method typically used to alert you of any water that is on the floor of your basement.
- Caulking can keep water out. Check to ensure that all caulking around windows and doors is in good repair and is forming a tight seal against driving rains and melting snow.
These are just some ways you can help your home be protected from water damage. This Spring we need all the help and tips we can get as the rains keep coming!
