Now that rainy season is approaching, you want to get your home ready for the inevitable heavy wind and rain. Avoiding damage from leaks, floods, and strong winds is easy enough as long as you take the necessary precautions to fortify your house. With that in mind, here are some of the first things that should grab your attention.
1. Clean the gutters
Gutters are an essential part of any drainage system. They help handle the large influx of water that comes with the rainy season and prevent the water from damaging your roof and walls. Unfortunately, gutters are easily clogged by debris that is brought by wind and it’s crucial that you have them cleaned on time.
If the gutters are clogged, you could end up with water pooling on your roof. This will inevitably lead to leaks and water damage to your attic and walls. Get on a ladder and try your best to remove the leaves and dirt that are clogging up the gutters.
2. Reinforce windows and doors
If your doors and windows fly open at the first sign of a windy day, you might want to fix that before the rainy season. If they had issues before, storms will only exacerbate them and lead to problems down the road.
You don’t want rain and cold air to get in your home because of faulty windows. Seal them properly with caulk and repair their locks to prevent them from opening spontaneously.
3. Check the roof
Your house’s roof is the first line of defence that it has against the elements. It should be able to keep the strong wind and heavy rains at bay even during the most ferocious storms. However, roofs require a bit of maintenance to achieve this level of protection.
Every once in a while, make sure that you check your roof for any abnormalities. Inspecting it is the best way to notice any issues. After years of use, it’s not uncommon for a roof to lose a shingle or two. It’s not a big deal for most of the year, but it can cause potential problems during a rainy season. Make sure you replace any missing or cracked shingles so that your roof doesn’t spring a leak. You don’t want any moisture to enter your attic and cause issues.
4. Keep the pipes clear
Water drainage is a key part of getting through tough weather. If the water is properly handled, you shouldn’t be worried about your pipes overflowing and causing floods and spills. On the other hand, pipes tend to get clogged if they aren’t maintained and heavy rain can trigger some overflowing.
To prevent this, you will need to clear out the pipes and break up any clogs that could be inhibiting the flow of water. This isn’t something you can do on your own, which is why it’s recommended that you let plumbing specialists do it instead. When your pipes are passable once more, you can say that your home is ready for any amount of rainfall.
5. Careful with the trees
Trees are a wonderful addition to any yard, but they aren’t exactly the safest plants you can have near you during a storm. They pose quite the danger when winds get a bit harsh. Trees are tough and heavy, which means that they can cause some major damage when falling down.
The best solution would be to reduce the volume of your tree. Some homeowners decide to simply cut it down entirely, but this isn’t your only possible course of action. You can also cut the branches down to a minimum while preserving much of the trunk. If it’s a tough tree, you can at least count on its trunk to survive a stormy day.
Conclusion
Keeping your home safe and intact should be your first priority during a rainy season. You probably don’t have to worry about the rain and wind doing any serious damage to the construction, but even minor inconveniences are worth avoiding. Leaks are your primary concern as they can lead to increased moisture and the development of mould. Keep everything under wraps and reinforce the house’s weak spots and you can be sure that your rainy season will pass without a hitch.
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