Torrential downpours—even without the heavy winds—can cause significant damage to an unprepared house. Aside from the risk of floods, heavy rains can lead to all sorts of damage to your home, such as damp basements, sagging gutters, cracked foundations, and more.f you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains, making your home more resistant to heavy downpour is a must, especially with the rising threat of global warming that can cause heavier rainfall.
Here are some of the best ways you can protect your home from damage due to heavy rainfall:
1. Maintain your gutters
The purpose of your gutters is to catch rainwater and direct it away from your home’s foundation. If they are clogged with debris, water will not be able to flow properly through the system, which can lead to sagging gutters or the water pouring down the side of your home’s exteriors instead.
To avoid this problem, see to it that you clean your gutters regularly to ensure that there are no obstructions in any part of the system. Better yet, use gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating in the gutters themselves. It makes cleanup a lot easier come fall, too. You can also consider replacing your regular gutters with seamless gutters, which are often more rigid and durable, making them more resistant to damage and leaks.
Seamless gutters are not infallible, however. If yours shows any sign of severe damage, call seamless gutter repair services as soon as possible.
2. Check your roof
Damage to your roof can make it easier for water to seep through the material when it is raining. Furthermore, moisture can exacerbate existing damage, especially during heavy downpours.
Make it a habit to check your roof for signs of damage every once in a while. If you don’t know what to look for (or simply don’t want to get up on your roof), have a roofing professional perform an inspection at least twice a year, especially during the rainy and winter seasons. Catching roof problems early does not only prevent extensive water damage, but it can also help you avoid having to pay for more expensive repair bills later on.
3. Fix your drafty windows and doors
Windows and doors that let too much air in can also allow rainwater to flow into your home, especially during storms. Not only that, but they also increase your home’s risk for mold growth, as well as pose a risk for your indoor air quality.
Fortunately, there are many methods you can use to address drafty windows and doors, including:
- Applying weatherstripping
- Sealing the gaps
- Weatherproofing exterior doors
- Applying temporary caulk
- Fixing or replacing loose windowpanes
- Replacing old weatherstripping
4. Inspect your downspout
Your downspout should drive water away from your foundation, not into it. Otherwise, the excess moisture can weaken the soil underneath your home and cause all sorts of foundation problems, such as cracks and shifting. If you have a basement, downspouts that don’t funnel away water effectively can also cause rainwater to leak into it.
A good trick to gauge whether you have a faulty downspout is to place a golf ball directly underneath your downspout. If the ball rolls away from the house, it means that the downspout directs water away from it. If the ball remains stationary or does not roll away far enough, you may need to reposition or readjust your downspout to ensure that water flows as far away as possible from your foundation.
If this doesn’t work, you may need to dig a shallow trench for a PVC pipe, then connect the pipe to your downspout.
5. Consider sealing your roof deck
Heavy winds can tear off shingles and other types of covers from your roof, which can allow rain to flow between the gaps in the wood and seep into your attic and walls. Consider sealing your roof deck to prevent this type of water entry into your ceilings, especially if you live in an area that is prone to storms. The best part? It can cost as little as $500 to seal the roof deck of a 2,000 square foot home, depending on your location, home size, and the complexity of your roof design.
These are some of the best ways to protect your home from rain damage. If installed properly and maintained regularly, they should be enough to help you save thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. Not only that, but taking these precautions can help you avoid other types of damage from inclement weather as well, such as ice, snow, and storm damage.
