Part Two: Ten Projects to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Series: How to Maintain a Beautiful, Safe and Cozy Home: Part Two
Part Two: Ten Projects to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
As summer winds down in Maine, if you take a few hours a week to perform these projects now, you can have the benefit of warm weather - and be finished before the madness of life in the autumn.
When selling a home or prior to home inspections, we advise clients to do many of the projects we will suggest in this series- but when done regularly they can save you thousands of dollars, an untold amount of stress down the road, and a better life in your home each day.
This is the second part of a Six Part Series, Best Late Summer Home Projects.
Take a late summer walkabout around your home and be on the hunt for water damage:
Trim trees and plants. Make sure that all plants, shrubs and trees are trimmed so they are more than 6-12 inches away from the patio, house or any wood or other building material. Plants or trees that grow close to the house make it challenging for the home to stay dry and get enough sunlight.
Check windows, doors, patio and siding. Be on the lookout for any areas that may need flashing fixed, may have leaks, mold or wood rot. If rain and moisture is able to get behind siding, behind wood edging, in patio structure or inside windows/doors it can cause major problems for you over time.
How is Your Home’s Drainage? Any pooling of rain around your home? Recall a collection of snow around home or on the roof last winter? Is water flowing away from your home or is it pooling in areas around the foundation or building? Make sure water is flowing away from the home - consider changing the homes’ grading if needed (don’t forget to look to see if water is finding its way into hidden places like under the patio, in crawl spaces, or basement/bulkheads).
Search for Foundation Cracks/Needed Repair. Foundations should be examined around the outside of the home and the inside/basement. Look for cracks, discoloration or other signs that water or other issues need repair.
Inspect/Clean Gutters. Gutters should be checked regularly, put it on the calendar and schedule cleanings seasonally. Cleaning gutters keeps the water flowing properly away from your home - also consider extending downspouts out so rainwater safely flows out and away from the foundation instead of pooling at the edge or corner of the building.
Sneak a Peek in Your Attic. Are there any signs of wood rot, moisture mold, leaks in the roof or discoloration? Is there good ventilation in the attic?
Check Exhaust Fans & Vents. Are exhaust fans vents from bathrooms, laundry, etc. properly venting out of your home and in good repair? Are they clogged? Humid air can cause a great deal of damage if not vented and functioning well and can severely shorten the life of your appliances. Fans and other electrical devices that are not maintained and vented can be a fire hazard.
Consider a dehumidifier. If your home naturally has a higher humidity level, test and monitor the moisture level - and perhaps install a dehumidifier in the home. This was a feature of three recent homes we encountered - sometimes homes simply have more moisture and need a boost - or even constant dehumidification - to dry out. This could help air quality inside your home as well.
Repair any plumbing leaks and deal with liquid spills immediately. Something as simple as a plant that is overwatered or a bathtub overflow can be a problem - water that is left to drip inside walls, ceilings and floors can cause permanent damage and may need extensive repair to fix. It may also cause havoc with electrical systems and appliances.
Elevate Electrical. Lift items, especially appliances, HVAC off the floor if there is a risk of flooding in any areas of the home. Consider elevation of other items as well.
Check under sinks and other hidden areas. Look for mold, moisture, leaks or liquids (cleaners, toiletries, etc.) that could be broken, tipped over or potentially spill. Clean out under sinks regularly to organize commonly used items and remove old items that could cause damage if they were to leak under the sink. Check pipes under the sink for condensation or leaks.
Bonus: Install a sump pump if you feel the basement is likely to flood in the future. Be prepared.
If you have any questions or additional suggestions, email us and let us know. We have great resources for contractors and inspectors that can give you detailed advice and guidance. If you suspect you have a water problem, call an expert that can make sure your property is safe.
Next Week: Ten More Great Late Summer Projects for Your Home