Protect Your Home from Rain

You may not realize, but your home is more vulnerable to water damage than you may think. With fall finally here, many provinces will see an increase in the amount of rainfall, so it is important to make sure that your home is protected. Here are a few tips and things to look at when to help you protect your home from rain and water damage:

1. Check your Basement
   Right after it rains, you’ll want to inspect your basement for any signs of water leakage on the walls and fall. Additionally, check for wet spots in the carpet and in the corners of your basements. Another indication that you may be dealing with water damage is if your basement smells musty. This may be a sign that you have mold or mildew behind your walls. If you suspect this is the case, be sure to call in a professional to complete a full inspection of your basement, as well as exterior features, such as gutters & downspouts.
2. Inspect your Roof
   Check the condition of your roof for signs of wear and tear. If you are able to get on top of your roof and inspect it yourself, take a look to see if there are any damaged, missing, or loose shingles. If there is, you’ll need to replace them to avoid any leaks. If water leaks into your home, it can cause mold and mildew growth, and weaken your ceiling and walls.
   
3. Guard your Gutters & Downspouts
   An unprotected gutter system will routinely clog with more than just rain. Dirt, debris, pine needles, and leaves will enter your eaves and lead to clogs. Unfortunately, a few costly and serious problems can arise when eaves are clogged. For one thing, water will spill over the side of your gutters, rotting your fascia and soffit. This overspill of water will also cause foundation and structural damage, since water isn’t properly diverting away from your home. Be sure to always have a spotter if you are cleaning your eaves this fall. As an alternative, you may want to install gutter guards as a permanent solution. Installing gutter guards means you’ll never have to worry about gutter cleaning again!
4. Unclog Downspouts
   Just as important as gutters are to your home, you’ll want to check how your gutter downspout is performing. Ensure that your downspouts are at least five feet away from your the base of your home in order to combat pooling rainwater from seeping into your foundation. A gutter downspout is hard to unclog – so, you may want to leave this to a professional. When LeafFilter gutter guards are installed on your house gutters, we’ll clean and realign your gutters & downspouts to ensure that your system is properly working.
5. Seal Windows and Doors
   Your windows and doors are also susceptible areas that you’ll need to check. You’ll need to ensure that these areas on your home are properly sealed and closed. Seal cracks in your floors and windows to ensure that water does not seep into your home. Double duty: this will help lower your energy bill in the winter!

It’s important for you as a homeowner to protect your home from rain damage. Keep these tips in mind and be on the lookout for warning signs before you need to start dishing out money for repairs.