Rainy Season Prep: Protect a Property

Any homeowner with property based in a wet climate needs to proactively conduct rainy season prep before the rains begin. To protect your property you need to prepare and block out the water. In this article we highlight our top tips for how to approach your preparations. Read on to learn more.

How to Protect Your Property From Water Damage: Rainy Season Prep

The best way to stop water damage to your place during the wet season is to block water from getting in. This is tip number one in the rainy season prep top tips.

To do that you need to clear the gutters and move water away from the foundation of your home. Seal the windows and doors because they can let water in. Check your sump pump to make sure it works during heavy rain. Look at the garage door seals too, as many people forget about them. A few hours spent now can save you from bigger, expensive repairs later.

Water can be very patient. It will find even the smallest crack or the loosest seal in your home. Water goes to the lowest spot on your property. A lot of water damage in homes and other buildings does not come from one big flood. Most of the damage comes from small leaks that stay hidden for weeks.

Rainy Season Prep – Top Tips

This guide takes you through each area of your property. It starts at the roof and goes right down to the garage floor. Take note of these rainy season prep top tips. and you will see what to check, how to spot problems early, and when you need to call a professional for help.

Why Water Damage Usually Starts Small

Water damage does not usually appear all at once. It often starts slowly. Small gaps, seals that are worn out, and bad drainage can let water in over time. When you see a stain or smell mold, the problem has likely been happening for a while.

How Rainwater Gets Into Buildings

• From above, water can come in through broken shingles, old flashing, or drains on the roof that are not working right.
• From the sides, water slips through cracked caulk, weak window seals, and spaces in siding.
• From below, water seeps in from cracks in the foundation and wet soil that pushes on basement walls.
• Through the garage, water comes in if bottom seals are old or the step is too low, letting water flow inside.

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

• There might be a musty smell in some places like the basement, closet, or garage.
• You may see paint peeling off or bubbles in the drywall around windows and by the baseboards.
• Look out for damp areas or a white, chalky layer on concrete walls or floors.
• After a storm, puddles could show up in the same spot each time.

Start at the Top: Roof and Gutter Checks

Your roof and gutters deal with more water than any other part of your home. If they stop working right, water can flow where it should not. It goes down walls, seeps into windows, and hits the foundation. Before the rainy season starts, check them. This is the best thing you can do first.

Roof Problems That Let Rain In

• Shingles that are missing, cracked, or curling.
• Flashing that is loose or has rust around chimneys, vents, and skylights.
• Roof drains that get clogged on flat commercial roofs. This can cause water to stay or pool.
• Water stains that show up on ceilings or in the attic after a storm.

Gutter Cleaning and Downspout Tips

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters two times a year. Do it more if there are trees close to your home.
• Make sure that downspouts send water out at least 4 to 6 feet from the house.
• Check for parts that sag, brackets that are loose, or seams where water drips out.
• Look during a storm. If you see water spilling over the edge, there is a clog or the gutter is not sloped right.

Keep Water Away From the Foundation and Basement

The ground near your building shows where rainwater will go. If the dirt slopes down toward the walls, water can pool up by the foundation. Water may then get inside. Basements and lower parts of a building are at more risk, especially during long periods of rain.

Check Your Yard Grading and Drainage

• The soil needs to slope down and away from the building as you move out. It should drop about 6 inches over the first 10 feet.
• Check for wet low spots where water can form close to your walls, patios, or driveways.
• Make sure mulch and soil stay a few inches lower than the siding so water does not move up.
• Keep storm drains and catch basins clear on the property.

Basement Flooding Prevention Basics

• Test the sump pump by putting a pail of water into the hole. It must turn on and remove the water fast.
• Think about getting a battery backup for your sump pump, since power can go out during strong storms.
• Fill in any open cracks you see in basement walls and floors.
• Put things you care about on shelves instead of on the floor.

Warning Signs of Foundation Water Problems

• Cracks that are more than a quarter inch wide or that keep getting bigger.
• A white, chalky layer called efflorescence can show up on concrete walls.
• Doors and windows may start to stick after a lot of rain.
• A new sump pump will usually cost between $600 and $1,500 to install, and the price for foundation waterproofing can change a lot depending on the size of the problem.

Seal the Sides: Windows, Entry Doors, and Siding

Wind-driven rain hits the walls from the side. This puts every seal on the outside at risk. Even a small space near a window frame can let water get inside the wall. These leaks are hard to find because the damage happens inside the wall, where you can’t see it.

Window Leak Warning Signs

• Water marks or soft spots on the wall below a window.
• Cracked, shrinking, or missing caulk around the frame.
• Fog or water inside double-pane glass.
• Weep holes blocked at the bottom of window frames.

Entry Door and Siding Checks

• Look at the bottom of exterior doors. See if the door sweeps are worn out or if the thresholds are broken.
• Check the siding. There could be cracks, gaps, loose boards, or panels that are bent.
• Check the trim around doors and windows. See if the wood feels soft or if it looks like it’s rotting.
• Make sure any vents and pipe openings in outside walls are sealed well and do not have any gaps.

Don’t Forget the Garage Door: The Biggest Opening in Your Building

The garage door is usually the biggest opening in a home or a commercial building. Because it is right at ground level, it is one of the first spots where rainwater can get in. If the seal gets old or worn, water can come in quickly and flood the garage floor during just one storm.

How Water Gets Past a Garage Door

• A bottom seal that is cracked or flat and does not touch the floor all the way across.
• Old side and top weatherstripping that lets in wind and rain around the frame.
• A garage floor that is not even so there are spaces under part of the door.
• A driveway that leans toward the garage, so water runs straight to the door.

What to Check Before Rainy Season

• Close the door and see if you can spot any daylight at the bottom or along the sides.
• Move your hand along the seal at the bottom. If it feels stiff, cracked, or torn, it means the seal is worn out.
• Check for rust on the bottom panel or at the sides of steel doors.
• Make sure the door closes all the way and does not come back up after you close it.

When the Door Itself Needs Attention

• Rust, bent panels, and a door that does not close tightly will let water in, even if the seal is good.
• A door that looks slanted may have a problem with the spring, cable, or track.
• Homeowners can check out Garage door repair in St. Louis, MO if they want someone to look at the seals, door alignment, and how hard the door closes before the heavy rain comes.
• A pro will usually charge about $100 to $250 to change a bottom seal.

Upgrades That Make Your Property More Water-Resistant

Some homes need more than just checks done each season. If you see the same spot leak each year, it is time to fix it for good. A full upgrade costs more at first, but it can save you money later on. This is because it stops more damage from happening again and again.

Exterior Upgrades Worth Considering

• Downspout extensions or buried drain lines help move water far from your home’s foundation.
• French drains push groundwater away from parts of the yard that are low.
• Window well covers keep rain out of basement windows that can fill up with water.
• Water-resistant siding like fiber cement gives you better protection than other materials that take in water.

Garage Upgrades That Keep Water Out

• Threshold seals put a small barrier on the floor of the garage. This helps keep water and dirt out.
• Steel or composite doors do not rust, rot, or bend as much as old wood doors. They last longer and look good.
• Insulated doors with tight seals stop wind and rain from coming in. This keeps the garage dry.
• When an old door cannot close all the way, professional Garage Door Installation of a new door will fix the problem for good. A new steel door for a two-car garage will cost from $1,500 to $3,500, with installation.

How to Decide Which Upgrade Comes First

• Start at the spot where water has caused damage.
• Be sure to fix drainage issues first before you work on looks.
• Bring in a pro if you see that a problem comes back again after you fix it.

Stay Dry When the Storms Roll In

Rainy season does not have to be a time when you get stained ceilings, wet basements, or water in the garage. If you look over the whole property, starting at the roof, and close every opening, you give water less chance to get inside. A little work this weekend can stop you from spending a lot of time cleaning up later.

Your Rainy Season Checklist

• Clean the gutters and make sure the downspouts go away from the house. This keeps water from getting too close to the foundation.
• Check the slope of the yard and test the sump pump. It helps move water out and can stop water damage.
• Put new caulk around the windows and switch out any worn door sweeps.
• Look at garage door seals, the panels, and safety sensors to see if they work well.
• Take stored things off the garage floor so they stay dry.
• If your garage door does not close well or you see signs of water damage, Guardian Garage Door & Gate can check it out and help keep your home or business dry at this time of year.

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