On those days that a calm, steady rain falls and you have an umbrella perched safely over your head, you might say to yourself, “I can handle this. Let it rain all it wants.”
But on windy days during which the rain flies sideways, an umbrella can make little difference as your upper body gets damp, your legs get saturated and your feet get soaked. An umbrella serves as a capable “roof” to shelter you from the rain overhead and over your head, but it's no panacea from protecting you from getting wet if other elements conspire against you.
Experts In Your Home views a roof in much the same way: it can do much to protect your home from water damage, but there are plenty of other vantage points that warrant your attention, too. This is why we're devoting this – the seventh article in our home maintenance tips series on how to protect your home from water damage – on the exterior of your home. Next time, we'll take a close look at your home's “umbrella”: the roof.
Grab a pen and paper or take a tablet outdoors to make a note of the trouble spots you identify. But cut yourself some slack. You might not be able to safely repair all the trouble spots yourself, but the home maintenance experts at Experts In Your Home can.
Exterior Walls and Wall Penetrations
- Look for cracked or broken siding boards on siding; broken bricks, stone or other masonry; and visible building paper or structural sheathing.
- Inspect for any open or unsealed penetrations from wiring, plumbing, phone, cable and heating and air conditioning lines. These openings should be sealed with foam or caulk.
- Repair any exposed, unstained or unpainted wood surrounding these penetrations.
- Repair or replace exhaust vent doors that do not “hug” their gaskets.
- Check carefully for signs of termite infestation. Although termites prefer wood, they also can gnaw through plaster and metal siding. Look for signs of termite activity especially around your foundation and anywhere that concrete (near steps and porches) join a wooden structure.
Doors and Windows
- Close your doors to check for a snug fit. Then check the locks to ensure that they provide a tight fit against the seals.
- Close your windows and look for cracks between the sash and frame. Clean and lubricate the operating mechanisms.
- Repair or replace loose or damaged window flashing.
- Replace worn, cracked or broken weather-stripping around windows.
- Ensure that caulk is pliable and continuous, and if it's not, reseal the troubled junctures.
- Look for signs of moisture accumulation above and under windows as well as near flashing, shingles, gutters, siding and soffit vents.
Drainage Issues
- Check all your downspouts and ensure that they discharge at least 5 feet away from the foundation wall. With this job, flexible, plastic downspout extensions can be a godsend.
- Eyeball slopes, low spots and uneven grades around your home. Your goal is to make sure that water drains away from your home, not toward it. Regrading or adding extra dirt might be necessary – two jobs that Experts can undertake to protect your home from water damage.
- Reseal your asphalt driveway regularly to keep it from cracking and sinking and keep your concrete driveway free of cracks and holes.
Trees
- Trim or remove tree limbs that might cling to shingles and trap moisture. Regular trimming also can prevent branches from brushing up against siding, gutters and windows and causing water damage in your home.
- Check your septic field, if you have one, to ensure that tree roots have not invaded the drains.
And remember that umbrella? Reach for it on a rainy day so that you can circle the perimeter of your home and look for places where water may be collecting. No matter what you find, the home maintenance experts at Experts In Your Home can repair it. We want you to say with confidence, “I can handle this – and so can my home. Let it rain all it wants.”
