How To Protect Your Home Against Rainwater

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Routine maintenance and repair work can help to extend the life of your roof and protect against damages from heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Waterproof the Exterior Of Your House 

At SERVPRO® of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick County, we understand that the aftermath of water damage is one of the most stressful things that a homeowner can experience. It can be a very big and expensive problem if not treated properly and in a timely fashion. The best way to deal with water damage is to stop it before it starts. The exterior of your house is the first line of defense against water damage.  

Maintain Your Roof 

The roof’s primary purpose is to keep water out of your shelter. Not making sure your roof is taken care of can lead to a host of problems- the worst being extensive water damage that could permanently damage the structure of your home.  Most roofs have a 20–30-year lifespan, however climate, weather conditions and even trees could cause damage to your shingles and create a leak. It’s best to periodically inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles. Replacing compromised shingles is a quick and inexpensive fix that can extend the shelf life of your roof.  

Add Sealant to Your Windows and Doors  

Entryways to your house are common sites that promote water damage and leakage into the home. Water can seep through the cracks around your windows and doors if they aren’t properly secured. Instead of waiting on the leak to happen, go ahead and make sure these areas are weather-stripped and have fresh sealing. You can easily repair large cracks with insulating foam sealant or dd some caulking where the window meets the siding.  

Make Sure Your Home’s Exterior Is Protected  

If you’re spotting some signs of water damage on your interior walls but aren’t seeing a source of leakage, it’s highly likely that water is entering through holes in your exterior walls. If your siding or exterior paint aren’t well managed water could seep through inside your home. Common sidings such as stucco, aluminum siding or wood siding has to be painted in order to protect the home against water properly. Paint is more than a pretty feature; it seals your siding and protects your home from weather related issues.  

Making sure your gutters are properly functioning and aren’t clogged is also a huge part of protecting your home from water damage. If your gutters are full of leaves, sticks and pine needles or not angled correctly, water will be redirected down the side of your house and collect at the base of your home. Start by clearing out all the junk in your gutters and ensuring that they are not damaged.  

Correctly functioning gutters should send water through the downspout, which shoots water away from your home. When checking gutters make sure that your downspout extends far enough at the bottom to redirect the water drainage to a safe distance away from the base of your home.  

Pro Tip: Downspouts should direct water at least three feet from the exterior walls of your home.  

For emergency water services give us a call at 864-229-6610, we are Always Here to Help 24/7/365