We’ve all heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” however, Ontario’s spring rain can cause major water damage headaches for homeowners. We’ve shared great tips to help protect your home.
Sadly, homeowners can experience severe property damage from the extra rainy days and spring melt that comes during this time of year. Water damage comes with added stress and it can be extremely expensive to fix so, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your home.
7 Tips to Help Protect Your Home from Spring Water Damage
#1 Prepare Early for Spring
As much as we might not like shoveling, taking extra precautions during winter months can be beneficial in the long run. Ensure you remove snow away from your home’s foundation and clear away snow on your roof. The weight of the snow on your roof could lead to some unwanted surprises in the spring.
#2 Check Your Gutters
It’s imperative your gutters are fastened tightly to your home because if they are not, they won’t properly catch water. Also, make sure if your home has more than one roofline that each one is lined with a gutter.
IMPORTANT NOTE: it’s vital your gutters are clean and free of blockages. Installing mesh guards will help prevent debris from clogging them.
#3 Keep an Eye on Puddles
If you notice puddles in your lawn, it could be a sign of bad grading. You want to ensure your yard slopes away from your home so that water is running away from the foundation and not towards it.
#4 Check Your Roof
Make sure you keep an eye on your roof and look to see if any shingles are broken or missing. Maintaining your roof is a great way to protect the inside of your home from water damage.
#5 Cracks in Foundation
Take the time to walk around your property and look for any cracks in the foundation. If you find any, make sure you monitor them – if they get larger you will need to fill them with epoxy. For cracks that are extremely large, rely on professionals.
#6 Ensure the Sump Pump Works
Sump pumps don’t last forever so make sure yours is working. Also, if at any time you notice it’s not moving water away from the foundation, have a professional inspect it.
#7 Landscaping Your Property
Often, spring is a time when homeowners start landscaping around their homes. Ensure any landscaping is sloping away from your home and look for any pooling of water. For extra precaution, you could consider purchasing a submersible pump and hose to drain any low spots around the foundation.
With the winter months and snow behind us, we can finally enjoy being outside. Use these tips to help ensure your home is protected from any water damage this spring.
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