Clean & Repair Rain Gutters
As fall approaches, leaves fall and begin to gather on roofs and in gutters. One of the best ways to prevent water entering your home is to make sure your gutters are offering proper drainage for your home. Wet leaves left on the roof can cause mold and a number of other damaging issues. If you have a really tall house or a steeply angled roof, it might be best to hire a professional to help you out!
Repair Cracks in Concrete
Various temperatures create different stresses on a number of elements in your home. Your concrete, like garage floor, foundation, or even house walls can begin to show signs of wear. In the summer, the heat forces the stone to slightly expand, while the stone contracts in the colder months. While it’s normal and expected, over time the fluctuations can be too much for the concrete. Cracks in your concrete are typically not too hard to repair (unless it’s in the foundation) but are necessary in maintaining the integrity of your home. If water seeps up from the foundation, it can ruin your floors, walls, and anything else the water may touch. It’s best to take care of these repairs quickly and they can be as easy as using a caulk gun and doing it yourself!
Replace or Seal Old Wood
Old window and door frames can be a huge culprit in allowing water into your home. If you own an older home, the sealant on wood can begin to wear down and expose the material to air and water. The elements can begin to break down the integrity of the wood, sometimes allowing water into your home. Sometimes, the fix is as easy as resealing the material, while other times it may take a full removal and re-install process. Your best bet is to ask a professional to inspect the wood to make sure it won’t cause you future problems.
Update Door and Window Seals
When we say ‘seals’, we don’t mean the wood trim and frame around the windows and doors. We’re talking about the rubbery material that creates an airtight seal around your windows and door. As most plastics and rubbers, they will wear down over time. The rubber can shrink and become stiff, hard, and holy, exposing holes in the seal. With these holes, water, air, and sometimes little insects can get into your home. Just like a windshield wiper loses its effectiveness over time, these guys should also be looked at if you’re having leakage around your windows or doors.
Check the Basement
Basements are typically the most common thing to flood in a home. There are many things that can contribute to basement flooding like cracked concrete, leaky washer & dryer intake, or old basement windows. Make the effort to check out your basement from time to time to make sure everything is properly sealed to keep everything dry!