Rainwater can cause immense damage to your home and its value. It can not only cause problems to its structure but also damage your personal property and valuable possessions. Safeguarding your home against one of nature’s most destructive forces thus becomes paramount, not only to protect the property but yourself and your loved ones as well.
Water damage can take a significant toll on your home and result in massive repair costs. Unlike fire which is a cataclysmic event that we can immediately notice and take action upon, water damage builds up over time, sometimes even years. A minor problem that you could have fixed in a day had you paid heed to it can turn into a major disaster that would require hiring contractors and shelling out thousands of dollars.
To prevent any potential problems before they escalate into something major, we highly recommend performing regular inspections of your home and keep water at bay. Let’s take a look at 4 of the most vital components to protect your most precious asset by preventing any water damage to it.
Maintain the Gutters
Well-maintained gutters play a crucial role in protecting your home from water leakages. While gutters are mostly overlooked by many, any problems with them can cause significant damage to your home. Gutters collect the rainwater and drain it down into the drainage through downspouts. We know that they are no fun to clean, but it is essential to keep them free of obstructions like debris, tree branches, and leaves.
There are significant dangers associated with clogged gutters, such as weakening the foundation materials of the roof. They can cause the rainwater to pool up on the roof and overflow, which could damage your home’s exterior, such as sidings. Even worse, the water can also seep through the bricks and make its way into the house, destroying your household furnishings and paintwork. If you witness water pouring down from the roof, there is a high probability that you have a clogged gutter that needs attention immediately.
Inspect the Roof
Your home’s roof is its first line of defense against water damage and must be kept in an optimal condition at all times. It would be a wise idea to contact a qualified commercial roofing contractor and have regular roof inspections done to detect any potential problem in its early stages. That could save you from significant financial costs associated with repair work or replacing a roof. Look out for any cracked or missing shingles that may have been blown away from high winds. Shingles offer protection to the roof ceiling from seepages and prevent leakages by directing water away from the underlying wood. Any gaps or cracks in them can expose the underlying structure to water damage, causing further trouble.
Also, inspect the flashing, a thin layer of metal sheet that secures joints in your roof and keeps it watertight. It is of utmost importance as it keeps water and moisture away from vulnerable areas of the roof such as vents, chimneys, and skylights, making it an essential component of keeping your home dry.
Seal the Exterior Walls
When exterior walls get exposed to rainwater or high humidity, water and moisture can penetrate the masonry and affect your internal walls. That means that the walls may remain damp for a long time before drying out, which could cause mold growth and irreparable damage.
Inspect the concrete foundations like the siding panels to spot any visible gaps or cracks. Even the tiniest of cracks in your foundation walls can make your home vulnerable to water intrusion. Therefore to avoid basement flooding and water damage to other parts of your property, you must effectively waterproof the exterior by sealing any visible cracks with a foundation sealant.
Pay Attention To the Doors and Windows
Improperly fitted doors and windows can be another cause of moisture and water intrusion into your home. You could easily seal them by applying silicone or get new doors and windows if the damage is beyond repair. You could also apply caulk on both sides of the window to prevent water from making its way inside or use weather-stripping to seal doors and windows that do not shut tightly. Following these measures would not only help waterproof your home but also improve its aesthetics and thermal efficiency.
When it is about water intrusion, even minor issues can lead to severe consequences. Given how disastrous a water leakage could be, waterproofing your home is not something you may ignore. Water can enter your home in many unexpected ways and cause damage to its structure. If it gets worse, it will weaken the foundation and cause mold to grow. That renders it critical to take a preventative approach by effectively waterproofing your home.
