Leaking rainwater is a very common and serious issue. A wet home structure can encourage the growth of mold, which can result in serious health problems. Water damage can also significantly weaken the structure of your house, which may eventually cause it to crumble down. Fortunately, there are three things that you can and should do if rainwater is leaking into your house.
Get Rid of Debris and Keep Gutters Clean
If you want to stop rainwater from making its way into your home, you should never allow debris to accumulate on the outside surfaces of your property. Many people pay very little attention to their home’s exterior. They rarely clean it and sweep away the dust, not realizing how problematic this can be. Debris, such as paper, dust, dirt, leaves, and plastic can easily clog up the drains. This is why you must clean your outdoor surfaces at least once every week. This will help you avoid any undesired buildups. Clogged-up drains are among the most common reasons why homes flood during the rainy season. De-clogging them and having them thoroughly cleaned can be very challenging. This is why preventing them from getting all dirty is the best way to avoid this from happening.
You should regularly clean your rain gutters, as well. Since this is a very simple and sensible solution, it doesn’t even cross many people’s minds. We tend to immediately think of more complex problems and solutions. When your rain gutters are blocked, rainwater will be forced to run down your home’s walls, inevitably making its way inside. You should always keep up with your home’s preventative maintenance needs, which include gutter cleaning one to two times a year. It’s best to contact professional services to help you out, due to the safety hazards. However, you can still do it on your own if you’re confident in your abilities.
Roofing Problems
If rainwater is leaking into your home, you may have a roofing problem. Homes with chimneys are very likely to be vulnerable to leaks when it rains. The chimney itself, the masonry surface, or the flashing that lies between the roof and the chimney. You may also have an issue with your vent pipe and flashing if you have a plumbing setup.
Roof plumbing setups make homes highly susceptible to leaking issues during rainy seasons, much like those found in places like Texas. You may want to contact Texas trained roofing professionals if you have issues such as missing roof shingles or if they’re damaged, as this can make your house more likely to experience leaks. Dried and worn-out shingles will also no longer be able to keep the water out. Water leakages through the roof may often indicate that the shingles need to be replaced. Damaged skylights are a common source of rainwater leakages. They might also cause rainwater to seep into your home if they weren’t installed properly, have gaps around their framing, aren’t well-insulated, causing condensation to drip off of it and right into your home.
Metal corrosion and leaks may result in wide enough gaps for rainwater to leak through. Metal will keep expanding and contracting until the metal roof’s seams will completely loosen up, resulting in leakage. If your attic is not properly ventilated, it may be subject to moisture and the collection of hot air. The collection of condensation on the pipes venting through the attic is also problematic. This is because it causes the water to seep inside and onto your ceiling. If it gets slightly warmer during winter, or you experience heavy rainfalls, the situation tends to worsen.
Install or Modify Drains
If you already have exterior drains, you may want to increase their surface area to keep your home from flooding during heavy rainfalls. Consult with a contractor to find out what needs to be done to enlarge your drains. However, the bigger you go, the less the risk of having your drains clog and your home flood. If you don’t have outside drains, you should look into the possibility of installing a French drain system outside your home. This is a system of trenches and pipes that are made to drain groundwater from the foundation of a house, and are essentially helpful when it comes to draining the drain water from properties that are built on slopes.
Hearing the rain pour down outside as you curl up and read your favorite book, driving in the rain while blasting your favorite music, and dancing in the rain. It’s so easy to think of all the reasons why you love the rain until rainwater leaks into your home. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to salvage this situation and enjoy the rain. This is why the tips provided here will go a long way in helping you ensure that you continue to enjoy the rain rather than suffer because of it.