Protecting Your Home: Keep Water Out

Spring is finally here, and with it comes sun, clear skies, green grass, and home maintenance. Home maintenance is an important part of owning a home, and by performing annual maintenance you can help keep those frightening home repair bills away. One of the most vital parts of outdoor home maintenance is keeping water out of your house, and there are a few easy but important things to keep an eye on when spring cleaning comes around.

Roof and Gutters

Your roof and gutters are one of the most important shields your house has to keep water and moisture out. You should check your roof for loose, cracked, or missing shingles, holes or cracks in the flashing (the metal edging that goes around your roof), and missing granules from your shingles that suggest your roof needs to be replaced. You should also clean your gutters and downspouts, and inspect them for signs of damage each year. Make sure there are no cracks in the siding or the gutters that are pouring water onto the side of your house, and that your downspouts channel water at least 5 feet away from your house. If you have a chimney you should also check it, and the section where it joins to the roof, for cracks and wear that will need to be patched.

Siding and Bricks

The sides of your house can be another way for water to get in, and need to be inspected and patched up each year. Keep an eye out for loose siding, or cracks in siding, brick, or mortar. Whenever you see a crack, make sure to patch it and inspect the area to see if it’s a sign of a larger problem. Checking around windows and doors for any spots moisture can get in is important too.

Foundation and Grade

The foundation of your home is, quite literally, what the whole thing rests on, and you need to make sure it’s stable. Inspect the foundation for any signs of sinking, and ensure that the ground around your home is graded at least six vertical inches over 10 feet. This will ensure water doesn’t pool and eventually leak into your house’s foundation. If it does, you have a problem, and it should be addressed right away. Another way to prevent water from getting to the foundation is to remove any planting boxes that are placed right up against the house.

Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing can be just as bad as indoor plumbing if something goes wrong, and each year you should check for leaks in all your outdoor faucets. It is also a good idea to insulate your pipes (especially ones that go through your garage) and replace taps with anti-freeze versions so they aren’t damaged through winter cold.

Spending time and money on home maintenance each year can seem like a pain, but it will save you time, money, and stress in the future by preventing the kind of home disasters that excess moisture can cause.