Your roof is the first line of defense against most weather conditions, especially rain. Check your roof for loose shingles, soft spots, and surface divots. One crack in your roof can lead to a roof leak and then further internal damage to your walls and ceilings.
To avoid rain getting inside your home or damaging your home’s foundation, it is crucial to have a well running gutter system in place. Keep your gutters clean to avoid clogging and water overflow. There are different products out there to keep your gutters free of debris. Think of your gutters as the middleman from your roof to the ground, keeping rain water from running down your home’s walls. You can direct your downspouts away from the foundation of your home and guide the water to a garden or vegetation. Clean gutters and the proper use of downspouts will keep your home’s foundation intact.
It is key to keep rainwater runoff away from your home’s foundation. The ground surrounding your home should be sloping downward away from the foundation. A common standard is for the ground to drop about 6 inches over the first 10 feet away from the foundation, the figure written into the International Residential Code. When the rainwater puddles around your home, the water seeps into the ground and can crack the foundation. Once cracks form, water can leak in, making your basement damp or wet. The dampness in your basement will attract mold and mildew, along with termites and carpenter ants. You can prevent these setbacks by properly keeping water away from your home.
Installing a rainwater catchment system is another option for handling rain water. Essentially the rain water travels from the gutter, through the downspout, and into the tank or barrel. There the rainwater can be repurposed for irrigation or seasonal purposes. Rainwater collectors vary depending on what you need them for. You can learn more about these systems here.
Water damages are some of the most costly damages to your home. If not treated immediately, you will have serious long-term damages that might need serious repairs, if not replaced altogether. Stay prepared and prevent water damage before it is too late with these tips.
Catching water early can save you thousands. Walk through your home now and then and watch for the telltale signs that rain is getting in:
Any one of these means water is finding a way in somewhere. The sooner you trace it, the smaller the repair.
Most roof leaks do not start in the open field of shingles. They start where the roof is interrupted: around chimneys, vents, and skylights, and in the valleys where two roof planes meet. Thin metal flashing seals those gaps, and when it lifts, cracks, or rusts, rain finds the opening. Have these spots checked during any roof inspection, and reseal or replace worn flashing before it turns into a leak.
Plenty of rain protection is simple homeowner work: keep the gutters clean, extend the downspouts, and keep an eye out for stains. But if you see interior stains, a sagging ceiling, mold, or a leak you cannot trace, bring in a professional before a small problem becomes a structural one. Storm Guard can inspect your roof and exterior, document any damage, and give you a clear repair estimate.
Rain finds the weak points first. A single crack or loose shingle on the roof can lead to a leak and then interior damage to walls and ceilings, while poor drainage lets water pool against the foundation, where it can seep in and crack it.
Think of your gutters as the middleman between your roof and the ground, carrying rainwater away instead of letting it run down your walls. Keep them clean to avoid clogs and overflow, and direct downspouts away from the foundation.
Make sure the ground slopes downward away from the house, ideally with at least five feet of downward slope. When water puddles around the home it seeps in and can crack the foundation, leading to a damp basement, mold, and pests.
Water damage is among the most costly damage a home can suffer. Left untreated, small leaks turn into serious long-term problems that may need major repairs or full replacement, so it’s best to address it immediately.
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