I never knew the extent of damage that hail could cause to a home. Of course, I realized that windows could break, but I never imagined my roof getting damaged, the siding getting destroyed and the gutters nearly being taken off the side of the house. After our neighborhood was hit by a storm that included golf-ball sized hail, I quickly learned how devastating those little ice-balls can be. If you are going through the same repairs and clean-up efforts, visit my blog. My blog includes tips that can help you identify hail damage and learn what to do to repair it.
tips for identifying and repairing home hail damage
Worried About Excess Moisture In Your Basement? Use These 3 Tips To Prevent Water Damage
Aria Korpershoek
If you have a basement or crawlspace, excess moisture can lead to water damage. You might not even realize that you have a moisture problem, especially if you don't know what to look for. A few signs that your home may have a moisture problem include:
-
Moldy or musty smell
-
Damp basement walls
-
Condensation on basement windows
-
Efflorescence on basement walls
If you've noticed any or all of these problems in your home, your home is excessively moist. Here are a few ways to eliminate the moisture issue and prevent costly damage.
Look for Leaks
When it comes to basement and crawlspace moisture, plumbing leaks are among the biggest culprits. Things like leaky pipes and running toilets can create a soggy mess in your basement. As soon as you smell a moldy or musty odor in your home, you should inspect all of your indoor plumbing.
Make sure that your toilets don't run longer than they need to. Look under all of your sinks for puddles or leaks. It's also important that you inspect all of your walls for signs of water damage, which can be a sign of a leak inside the walls. Be sure to take care of repairs as soon as possible to eliminate the moisture problem.
Inspect the Rain Gutters
You might think that rain gutters merely keep the water off your porch and away from your front door. However, those rain gutters are actually an important part of your homes weather proofing. Without proper rain gutters, the water from your roof will gather around the foundation of your home.
If you've noticed that your gutters aren't draining the water properly, you should inspect them for debris build-up. Remove dirt and debris from the bottom of the gutters, using your hand or a small whisk broom. Once the debris has been removed, flush the gutters with your garden hose to make sure they're clean. It's also important that you make sure the drain spouts are located away from the foundation of your home.
Redirect Your Sprinklers
Sprinklers are another common cause of basement and crawlspace moisture. If you use sprinklers to water the plants located up against your home, that water could be causing damage to your home.
Stand outside while the sprinklers are running. If any of the sprinklers are spraying water on to your home, or you see water pooling around the foundation, you'll need to redirect the sprinkler heads. Another simple way to prevent this problem is to install a drip system around your home, instead of the sprinklers. The drip system will ensure that water is directed right at the plants.
Excess moisture can cause damage to your basement and crawlspace. You can prevent problems by using the simple solutions listed above. If you've already suffered damage due to excess moisture, be sure to put your home through water damage restoration as soon as possible, then use the tips mentioned above to prevent further damage.
Share