With spring just around the corner, you can be sure that spring showers will follow closely behind. While all this water allows plants around your home to flourish, it can take a toll on your home if it’s not properly prepared. Rainstorms can cause a lot of damage to your home, from water damage to the dreaded lightning strike or electric failure. However, there are plenty of ways for you to prepare your home now so it is ready for any emergency. To help ensure your home makes it through spring as dry as a bone, here are four ways to prepare your home for spring showers.
Seal Your Basement
If you have a basement, excessive rain can lead to leaks through the walls as the soil becomes saturated with moisture. Depending on how your basement is finished, leaky walls could cause mold or mildew growth alongside thousands of dollars of other damage. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your basement is waterproof before the spring rains hit. Use a weatherproofing contractor to inspect your basement and look for any problem areas, then allow them to seal your basement using the correct materials.
Inspect Your Roof
The winter can wreak havoc on your roof, leaving it vulnerable to leaks from spring showers. Therefore, it’s important to have your roof inspected before spring begins to ensure it’s just as watertight as it was in the fall. Good roofing contractors are crucial here, as they can spot small problems that you may have overlooked. Plus, if there is any damage, they can fix it while they’re on-site to ensure your roof is ready to go should an unexpected storm hit. Your roof helps keep your home from losing air or developing mildew and mold, so it should be a top priority.
Clear Gutters
While there’s not as much that drops from trees over the winter, that doesn’t mean your gutters will be totally clear when spring rains begin flowing down your roof. Therefore, it’s important to take a close look at your gutters and remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter. As you’re inspecting for debris, it’s also important to check for any loose gutter ties that may have developed as a result of heavy snow weighing on your gutters. This will ensure you don’t have to deal with a fallen gutter or excess water damage around your house.
Re-Shape the Land
Another problem that heavy snow can cause is depressions in your land that cause water to collect near your home. Rather than naturally draining away as it’s supposed to do, water can accumulate in large puddles, leading to over-saturation and subsequent problems with your home’s foundation. If you notice areas that look a little low, it’s a good idea to use topsoil to fill them in until they’re high enough to promote draining.
Spring Cleaning
While there is much to be done before spring showers arrive, the good news is that these showers accompany warmer temperatures and longer days. After a long and cold winter, these should be welcome sights, increasing your motivation to complete the job well.