As a homeowner, one of your worst nightmares is likely discovering unwanted water in your home. Not only can unwanted water cause your home to smell, it can also cause serious problems including lowering your home’s value and negatively impacting your family’s health. Additionally, water that is left in your home can result in large amounts of time and money spent on mold restoration. Here are 5 tips to help keep your water where it belongs.
- Check Drainage
The easiest way to keep water out of your basement is to prevent it from entering in the first place. At least one or twice a year, you should inspect your rain gutters to ensure they are free of debris and water can flow without any obstructions. Additionally, you are going to need to check your downspouts to ensure that the water is leaving your property correctly. If your drained water isn’t being carried far enough away from your home, you may want to consider adding downspout extensions.
- Reshape Landscaping
After checking to see that water can easily drain from your roof, you’ll want to ensure that your landscape design facilitates the flow of water away from your home. Check to see that your landscaping isn’t too close to your siding. If it is, you can create a berm or swale around the perimeter of your home to keep the water away. If your home sits lower than the rest of your yard, you’ll want to build up your yard as much as you can, to force the water to flow away from your home rather than toward it.
- Fill in Holes
Another aspect to consider is to check your foundation for any spots where water could possibly find its way inside. Check for any holes or gaps in your foundation. Not only do these weaknesses provide entry for water, they can also be entryways for unwanted rodents and other pests. Use hydraulic cement to fill in the holes and seal your home to unwanted water and rodents.
- Watch Inside Moisture
Water that accumulates in your home often doesn’t come from outside. Moisture can build up in your house as a result of internal sources. Homes that have excess amounts of humidity can experience water problems as well. Check to make sure that your dryer vents are properly vented and sealed and that you have adequate vents in all downstairs bathrooms. If your basement feels muggy or wet, run a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of humidity in your home. Another feature that you can try is insulating your pipes with foam pipe insulators to reduce the condensation from building up.
- Seek Professional Help
After you have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that your basement remains free of water, you’ll want to contact the professionals to help with any water or mold restoration necessary before sealing your home. The team at Entrusted is trained in professionally and effectively correcting any water damage to your home. If you find unwanted water in your home, don’t delay. Call the professionals at Entrusted today!