The rainy season can expose your home to water damage especially if you don’t address the problem. This not only diminishes your home’s appearance but also can cause structural damage to your home. Therefore, it’s crucial to know how to protect your home from water damage. It needs to be done in order to avoid costly repairs or potentially losing your home. In most cases, water damage is caused by things that can be easily repaired. Here are some ways to protect your home from water damage.
- Ensure Proper Drainage
Before building a house, it’s necessary to check the soil’s drainage in order to determine how much reinforcement you’ll need to protect the structure from water damage. Poor drainage can weaken the foundation compromising the entire building. If the area you intend to build is soggy, consider elevating the soil, installing a drainage system, or growing water-loving plants to mitigate the problem.
- Clear The Gutters
Gutters are a good addition to the home as they help you collect rainwater and protect your stricter from water damage. However, without regular maintenance, they can cause problems of their own. Leaves and soil build up in the gutters over time leading to clogging. This, then, prevents water from flowing easily causing damage to your walls and foundation. Ensure that your gutters are clear to allow water to move freely.
- Fix Your Roof
The roof is one of the most important yet most overlooked parts of the house. It offers protection from natural elements like dust, sunlight, and of course, rain. Therefore, if it’s compromised, you can have serious damage not only to your house but your household items as well. Avoid waiting for the roof to leak so that you can fix it. Make a habit of inspecting it at least twice a year and fix any damage immediately. 5 Signs Your Roof Needs Repairing
- Fix Window Leaks
This is especially common in older homes since windows lose their water tightness as well. If you notice that water still sips in even when the window is closed, you should never ignore it. This can cause water damage over time as it exposes your walls to excess water. You can either replace your windows or seal them if the damage isn’t too much.
- Maintain Your Drains
Water damage can happen from the inside as well if the drains in your kitchen, bathroom, or toilet have a problem, it can water buildup that can leak to the floors and inside the walls. Therefore, you should ensure that every part of your drainage system works properly. If you notice that the water levels in your toilet rise during the rainy season, you may have a drainage problem and you should address it. Additionally, try to clean the drains regularly to clear any blockage.
- Be Careful With Your Gardening
Though plants can help drain your soil, they can cause obstacles that lead to flooding as well. Some plants have roots that can invade your sewer and drain lines. Therefore, before planting trees on your property, make sure you’re aware of where pipes and septic tanks are located to avoid tampering with them.
- Paint Your Walls
Paint may not protect your home from serious damage such as flooding. However, waterproof paint can prevent your walls from accumulating moisture protecting them from cracks, mildew, and mould. It also creates a seal from external water damage. Try to use waterproof paint when painting your walls. If you’re repainting your home, make sure you seal any cracks or damage before painting.
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