Defending your home from water damage
Prevention is key! We are told that preventative care is best for our bodies and the same can be said for your home. Cracks, missing shingles, breaks in wood, windows, and doors can all be easy access points for water damage. It may not look like much, but over time any moisture that breaks inside will make exterior damage worse and can create some devasting interior damage! Below I’ll list some protections and preventative measures a homeowner can take to stop the damage before it happens!
Doors and Windows
Cracks, leaks, and ripped segments of caulking around doors and windows is incredibly common. Thankfully fixing that takes just some easy removal and new caulking. Seeing peeling paint, discolorations, or a swell? Door getting harder to open or close? There’s possibly moisture getting into the wood. Sometimes applying a sealant coat will do the trick, but internal damage could need a full replacement!
Inspect your Roof
If water clogs up in gutters then it can easily seep into the roof shingles. At first, it may take a couple of replacement shingles and gutter cleaning, but over time it can leak through roofing and into your interior! This could cause mold, wood rot, and severe drywall issues. Have a professional who knows what to look for and can work safely to check your roof and make sure it is sealed properly. Anyone can see a missing shingle, but flashing is hard to spot an issue, and sealant around vents/pipes is tough to spot when they look fine to the naked eye!
Gutters and Drainage
If your gutters aren’t working properly then water can pour onto the sides of the house or push up into the roofing. This can cause water marks and streaks on siding pieces, cause wood to rot, and even build up mold. Clean gutters out regularly and make sure water isn’t leaking anywhere. Check your downspouts to make sure the water is flowing freely. Gutter screens are a great way to stop clogging and make sure the drainage ports are spread out properly so they don’t overflow into a downspout.
Don’t let your house look like this!
Exterior Walls
Check to see if there are any cracks, holes, or gaps in siding, bricks, stone, or another masonry, as well as structural sheathing. Pay particular attention to where vents, pipes, or wires enter your home. While you are checking, look for termite, mold, or rotting damage. Pay special attention to the foundation walls for cracks and deteriorating mortar joints. If you find any, take quick and efficient measures to fix the problem – restore the mortar, seal small cracks with caulk designed to repair masonry, and fix larger gaps with the help of hydraulic cement. Also, ensure that the exhaust vent doors are properly open and close.
If you need help any checking your home for these damages or if you need a licensed and insured company to come fix the damages caused by water damage then reach out to us at Hugehandymansd.com! We respond quickly to our requests and will answer any questions!