Preventing Water Damage From The Outside

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

Preventing Water Damage from the Outside

Water has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it, destroying everything in its path, and completely taking over parts of your home. This can cause an immense amount of stress and take a lot of work to get back to normal. It usually takes the work of a certified and insured professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County to repair the damage. However, there is a way to prevent water from coming into your home from outside before it is too late. Here are essential tips to safeguard your home’s exterior from water:

Roof

• Check your roof to ensure the shingles, flashings or tiles aren’t missing, broken, cracked, curled or damaged in other ways.
• Make sure the vents, flues, chimneys, air conditioners, and evaporative coolers are properly installed and in good shape.
• Check for leaks around rooftop air-conditioning units, vents for exhaust or plumbing, or other specialized equipment.
• Cut tree limbs that hang above your roof so they don’t cling to shingles and trap moisture. Leaves or twigs can also clog your gutters.

Gutters and Downspouts

• Ensure these are clean, free from debris, and in good condition so that water can flow freely.
• Install metal screens to prevent leaves, twigs, silt and other debris from clogging the gutters and drainage holes.
• Ensure downspouts direct water at least five feet away from your home’s foundation. Install downspout extensions if needed.

Doors and Windows

• Check for leaks near the corners of your doors and windows. Signs of leaks include peeling paint, paint discoloration or swollen frames.
• Protect exterior doors and windows from the sun, rain, and snow by installing overhangs above them.
• Close your doors and windows to check for a tight fit. Look for cracks between the sash and frame of your windows.
• Repair or replace damaged flashing or weather-stripping around windows.
• Install window well covers if you don’t already have them. This will prevent water and debris from getting trapped in your window well, causing water to eventually seep into your basement.

Walls

• Check and repair cracked or broken siding boards, bricks, stone or another masonry, as well as structural sheathing.
• Seal any openings from wiring, plumbing, phone, cable, and heating and air conditioning lines with foam or caulk. Repair any damaged or unpainted wood surrounding these openings.
• Check for signs of termite activity on the walls and the wooden structures around your foundation. Termites can eat wood, plaster, and even metal siding.
• Ensure that the exhaust vent doors properly open and close.
• Remove any shrubs and other landscaping features from along the walls.
• When irrigating the garden, avoid directing water towards the house to prevent excessive water near the foundation.

When it comes to water damage, you can never be too safe and protected. If you follow these steps, you can protect your home from exterior water damage. If water does sneak up on you and wreaks havoc in your home, be sure to give SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County a call. 502.241.6861  We have the proper training, tools, and equipment to get your home back to normal in no time.

SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County also proudly serves Spencer, Trimble and Henry Counties.