Steps To Protect Your Home From Water Damage & Costly Cleanup
With Spring right around the corner in Hannibal, it is time to start thinking about the exterior of our homes. The wettest time of the year is upon us, and it is important to make sure our homes are prepared to withstand the moisture and not become susceptible to water damage. From our water damage cleanup experts, here are some things you can add to your spring cleaning list to make sure the exterior of your home is in its best shape possible and ready to resist the risk of water damage.
Water Damage Cleanup In Hannibal
- Maintain your roof. Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against Mother Nature’s rainfall and spring storms. Its primary purpose is to keep water out of your home, and channel it away from your home’s foundation (through gutters and downspouts). Neglecting your roof could leave your home susceptible to unnecessary water damage every time it rains, compromising the very structure and integrity of your home. Most roofs are built to last 20-30 years, but failing to perform regular inspection and routine maintenance can greatly shorten that lifespan. You should periodically inspect your roof for damaged, loose, or missing shingles and replace any that you find.
- Be sure windows and doors are adequately sealed. Windows and doors are common vulnerable sites for water leakage into the home. Water can easily seep in through the space around windows and door frames if they are not properly sealed. You should check the weather-stripping and seals periodically to ensure that they are intact. It is important to check both the inside and outside of your windows and doors. Any large cracks or spaces between the frame and your home should be sealed off. A good practice is to reapply caulking at least once a year to ensure that no water or moisture is getting through into your home.
- Ensure proper drainage. If water from rainfall is not properly diverted away from the foundation of your home, you are at an increased risk of water damage and flooding. When excess water collects around the base of your home due to poor drainage, that water will begin to seep in through your foundation. Gutters are essential in channeling the water from off of your roof, and away from your home. Be sure that your gutters are clean and clear from any built up debris so that water can flow through them freely. Functioning gutters will direct water out and away from your home through downspouts. Downspouts should direct the water at least 3 feet from the exterior walls of your home. If your downspouts are broken, cracked, or do not extend far enough, they could be channeling water directly to your home’s foundation. You should check your gutters and downspouts at the end of winter and beginning of spring, and again every fall to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
Taking the time to perform maintenance and inspection around your home this spring may just save you from needing water damage cleanup. However, nothing guarantees water damage won’t occur. So if you do find yourself dealing with water in your home, whether from outside or a malfunctioning pipe or appliance inside, you can count on the water damage cleanup experts at Clean Restoration to be there for you. Call us for all your water damage cleanup needs.
