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With Spring in the air we all have our thoughts on getting outdoors. However do not forget to prepare your home for the coming rains!
The Exterior:
Check your basement window well drains for debris:
This simple maintenance tip could save you from a flooded basement. Leaves and wind blow debris can cover and clog the drains installed in this well and during heavy rains this blockage can flood the well and seep in through the basement windows.
Check the culvert pipe under the drive for mud and debris:
This will assure the flow through the pipe will not back up and flood your yard or property up stream from your location.
All landscaping around the home should be at least 4” below top of foundation:
This will prevent excess rain fall from backing up over the top of the foundation and into your home.
Check all gutter discharges for run off away from the home:
This will assure that they are all connected allowing for proper drainage away form the home. Excess water will stress the foundation drainage system causing flooding.
Check to make sure all your hoses were disconnected from the hose bib connection last fall:
Hook up a garden hose with a closed nozzle on the other end. Turn on the water, go into the home and look for water leakage at that location. If water is present you hose bib had frozen over the winter and need to be replaced.
Check and clean all gutters and downspouts for blockage and debris:
This will prevent the gutters from overflowing over the top and running down the side of the home or into a window causing unseen damage.
Check all caulking around windows and doors. Brick, Cedar Siding or Dryvit / Stucco are all equally important:
This is the most common cause of water penetration into the home. No matter what type of exterior cladding your home has, caulking will prevent excess moisture from entering between and behind those surfaces causing a great deal of damage from rotting and mold, to structural failure. This is not the fault of the builder, just basic maintenance
The Interior:
Be sure sump pumps are operating and functional:
Fill the sump pit with water, either with a bucket or a garden hose attached to your well or hot water tank. The pump should readily cycle on and discharge the water to the exterior. Most systems sitting dormant for a period will stick or rust causing the pump to lock up. If the pump does not turn on it’s time for a replacement.
Keep an eye on all wall ties and cracks in the foundation for potential leaks:
During or just after a heavy rain check your basement for any signs of water in those locations. They can be easily repaired from the inside if you locate a leak. Be sure to mark them while they are wet, as once they dry you will not be able to locate them.
Be sure all exterior door sills are adjusted for contact with the door sweep:
This will assure you have a tight seal preventing heavy rains from leaking in at this point, causing severe damage.
With the change of time replace your smoke detector batteries:
This simple task could save your life or that of a family member. While you are at it, if the smoke detector is 10 years old or older it is a good time to replace that as well.
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