Ah, the pitter-patter of rainfall on a spring night. The smell of fresh rain in the morning, and the sparkle as it glistens off of the grass. The feel of a light, cool drizzle on your hand on a sweltering summer afternoon. We absolutely love a rainy day!
But we love it best when the rain stays OUTSIDE.
Rain can also mess things up for you and your home. Even if you’re not in the unfortunate situation of dealing with an actual flood, everyday rain can become a significant problem, especially if your roof isn’t in good condition or you’ve having problems with your windows.
Four Things You Can Do to Keep the Inside of Your Home Nice and Dry
Moisture seeping into your walls, roof, or foundation can destroy them – especially if that water sits and causes rot, mold or mildew. From a structural perspective, one of the most important things you can do for your home is to ensure that water stays outside, and that you deal with any leaks quickly and thoroughly.
Re-seal Your Windows
Stop the seep. If you notice airflow around your windows, or water leaking in or collecting around the bottom of your windows, get the caulking around your window casings replaced. A little water coming in around the panes can cause the surrounding wood to weaken and rot. Maintaining your windows every ten years or so can stave off any issues with rain or other water. But even if it hasn’t been that long, re-seal your windows if you notice a problem, or call in your local window replacement company for some help and advice.
Prevent Chimney Leakage
The flashing around your chimney is highly susceptible to leaks. One small part pops up, or gets caught and bent out of shape by the wind, then water gets in, and then that water applies pressure on the rest of the flashing. (The flashing, if you are unfamiliar, is what bridges the surface of your chimney to the rest of your rooftop.) You should have your roof checked at least once per year, and your roof repair company is certain to make sure this is one of the first things they check out.
Check Your Gutters Before You Wreck Your Gutters
A clog in your gutter is unavoidable. Leaves back up, as does the mess from animals like birds and squirrels. Detritus and clutter of all kinds can get blown onto your roof and find its way into your gutters. Getting your gutters cleared will direct water off of your roof, away from your foundation, and keep water from building up at the corners of your roof where it can collect and eventually seep down into your attic and walls.
Don’t Ignore “Small Problems”
Here’s a hint for you – there are no small roof leaks. If you have an idea that there’s a problem with your roof, have it checked by a qualified roof repair company ASAP. Roofs aren’t self-healing, so if you think there’s a problem, there probably is, and it isn’t going to get better on its own. Call an expert roof repair company today to get a “small” problem looked at before it becomes a catastrophe.
Take good care of your roof, and it’ll help keep the rain outdoors! If your roof isn’t currently doing a great job of that, give us a call here at Harper Siding & Roofing, and we can give it a hand. We have decades of experience helping your neighbors across the Cincinnati area to keep their roofs in top condition and their homes safe and dry. We’re here to help you, too.