5 Essential Tips to Prepare Your House For Rainy Season

 

 

 

Although the weather may still be warm, the fall season is right around the corner. The moderate and chilly temperatures this time of the year bring falling leaves in all shades of warm colors and force people to spend their downtime indoors under a fuzzy blanket drinking tea.

However, despite all the beautiful things that come with autumn, the season can also be one of the least favorite due to frequent rainfall. Heavy rain and hail can cause serious damage to properties, not to mention mold and fungus. There can also be overflowing walkway drains and saggy gutters which can wreak havoc on the home’s foundation.

That’s why it is your job as a homeowner to prepare your home for the upcoming rainy season. In this post, we share five basic maintenance tips to help get your house ready for fall.

 

 

Clean your gutters

Your gutter system is an important outdoor element responsible for water management. Their main purpose is to channel water flow from your roof, through the downspouts and direct it to appropriate areas outside the house. However, if they get clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris, they can easily cause damage to your property’s foundation and landscaping.

That’s why you need to clean them thoroughly before the rainy season starts. You can do this yourself or call professionals to do it for you. If you choose the latter, click here to book a consultation with local professionals to get a free estimate and help you find the best contractors in your area to clean, repair, and install a new gutter system.

 

Have nearby trees and plants trimmed

As drought and sun can cause trees and plants to become weaker, you should also have them trimmed before the rainy season begins. In a storm, loose branches can cause serious damage to your home, which is why any old or rotting trees you have surrounded your property need to be cut down completely.

You can have your nearby trees and plants trimmed by professionals, or do the job yourself. If you decide to tackle the task on your own, make sure you have all the necessary equipment and tools to complete the task successfully.

 

Check and seal your doors and windows

Since rainwater can also seep through your windows and doors, it is important that you strengthen and reinforce them properly, especially if they are old or a bit damaged. Make sure they are also sealed when it rains because rainwater can enter your home through the small cracks.

To protect your windows from heavy winds, you can seal them with heavy-duty packing tape. You can also use weather stripping, caulk, or rigid foam insulation to prevent or block air and water leakage.

Not only will taking these preventive measures to keep water out of your home, but they will also help increase your energy efficiency.

 

Inspect your drainage system

During heavy rains and especially typhoons, there is a great possibility for dirt and mud to accumulate in the drainage system. When they dry up, they clog up the system and prevent it from working properly to pull water through the house and outside to drain.

So, it is important that you clean and maintain your drainage system in order to be safe during stormy weather.

If your home has external drains, then make sure you clean them so they don’t get clogged with debris or other elements that can cause obstruction. If drains get clogged, there is a great possibility for the water to back up and seep into your home.

 

Prepare for possible flooding

If you live in a low-level area, then you are at a greater risk of experiencing flooding during the rainy season. However, you can make a few adjustments to prepare for possible flooding and protect your property from suffering serious water damage.

Start by placing sandbags and concrete edgings to divert water into the drainage areas. If your budget allows it, install a sump pump to remove water out of your basement where flooding happens regularly.

Also, apply coatings and sealants to your foundation, walls, windows, and doorways to prevent flood water from leaking into your house through cracks.

 

 

 

Final thoughts

Although fall is one of the most beautiful seasons, it is also people’s least favorite due to frequent rainfall which can cause serious damage to personal properties. That’s why homeowners need to take preventive measures to protect their houses from heavy rain and wind during this time of the year.

For more information on how to do it, refer to our post and follow the tips to prepare your home for the upcoming rainy season.