Is Your Home Prepared for the Rainy Season?

Alright, weekend warrior. It’s time to prepare your house for rainy weather--and lots of it. You can begin from the top down, starting with the roof, one of your home’s most important safeguards against the elements.

The Roof

First, inspect your roof from the ground (using a pair of binoculars if necessary) to look for warping or shrinking shingles, as well as shingles that appear to be loose or slipping. If you can see it from the ground, also check your flashing for oxidizing or any other deterioration. Flashing is frequently made of galvanized steel or aluminum that’s installed in your roof’s joints to prevent water damage. (Hint: look for flashing around the chimney or skylights, as well as in your roof’s valleys. 

If you can safely access your roof by ladder, it can help you get a better look at your roof’s condition. Just make sure that your ladder is properly secured. If you have a steep roof or a fear of heights, there’s no shame in calling a professional at this point if you suspect there might be damage.

The Gutters and Downspouts

Your gutters prevent water damage to your house by redirecting rain and hail away from the house’s sides and foundation. It’s vital for your gutters and downspouts to remain clear of leaves and other debris that could clog them and keep them from functioning properly. Keep in mind, inspecting the gutters will be a little trickier if you aren’t able to use a ladder, so if this step is a no-can-do for you, just call a professional.

The Siding

If your house has siding, take a moment to see how worn out it has gotten from fending off previous rains. When winds are especially strong and create that bothersome horizontal rain, sometimes water actually ends up underneath your siding, damaging it over time.

The Backyard/Patio

A flood or pool of rainwater in your backyard or patio has the potential to drown your grass and other plants or--worse--give your house water damage. Check the drains to make sure nothing is clogging them. You can also buy sandbags if you suspect there might be flooding because they can be used to redirect water. Just be careful about where the water gets redirected!

Many times, despite our best efforts, our homes can still end up with water damage after heavy rains. If you suspect you have water damage in your home or building, GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can help, starting with a non-destructive visual survey to check the fungal ecology or problems in a specific area as directed.