How to Prepare Your Home For the Rainy Season

rainy season Rain is coming and it’s important that your house is ready. It might not seem like much, but a little bit of rain can do a lot of damage to your home. Making sure your home is rain-proof can go far towards keeping you and your family happy and stress-free this spring. Here are a few easy things you can do to protect yourself.

Check Your Sump Pump

Your sump pump is designed to keep water from flooding your home in case of excess rainfall. As long as it’s working, your basement and lower floors should be relatively safe from water damage. Check your sump pump by filling up the tank until the float reaches the designated level. If it pumps the water out fast, everything is working well. Otherwise, it’s time to get someone to look at your plumbing before the next rainfall.

Clear Your Gutters

If your gutters aren’t working, all of that water can end up in your home or pooling around your foundation. Make sure your gutters are free from leaves and other clutter. Ensure that there aren’t any holes in it so that water falls elsewhere than designated places. You should also make sure that your gutter extenders are in place and that they drain properly in order to remove water from your home’s foundation.

Ensure There aren’t Any Leaks

Check your windows and doors to ensure they are waterproof. If any waterproofing materials show signs of tearing or damage, you’ll need to replace it so rainwater doesn’t pour in through these openings. Replacing waterproofing materials is usually easy and you can get supplies at your local hardware store.

Trim Your Trees

Those big, beautiful trees are wonderful, but they can be a danger to you when the rains come. Overhanging limbs can get waterlogged, then snap or even get uprooted. These can put holes in your roof, break windows, or damage your gutters so they can’t drain your roof properly. You don’t have to cut them down. Just getting them trimmed means that you can keep the tree without risking damage to your home.

Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is the obvious entry point for water to get into your home. If there is damage there, or to your flashing or other parts of the roof, water will be able to get in. The best way to do it is to hire a professional to do the inspection because roof damage can be tricky to spot and hard to find unless you know what you’re looking for. Most pros can also help you make repairs before any damage is done.

Think About Storm Doors and Windows

If you don’t have storm doors and windows, it’s time to think about getting them fast. These can protect your home and help you stay more comfortable inside. They may seem like an extravagance, but they are actually worth the cost when you are warm and comfortable inside, no matter how the storm rages outdoors.

Consider a Generator

If you are concerned about losing power and having your sump pump or more shut down, consider installing a generator. Whole-home generators ensure that you will be able to have power no matter what happens. They can also ensure that your comfort systems continue to work so your family won’t get too hot or too cold.

Prepare For a Flood

If you live in a location that is likely to flood, get ahead of it by preparing now. Have sandbags on hand to divert water, cover and protect any outdoor furniture that you can’t move inside, and make sure you have an emergency kit inside. You may even want to set your sandbags up before the next storm comes, in case you’re away or something happens suddenly.

Consult With an Expert

If you’re concerned about how your home might get damaged in a storm, talk to a plumber or another expert. They don’t just do drain cleaning or repair busted pipes, they can also tell you where your home is the most vulnerable. These assessments are affordable and can tell you exactly what you need to know to protect your house and your family this rainy season.

If you need some help preparing your house for the rainy season or you need to have some repairs done on your sump pump, give us a call at GT Campbell. We’ll make sure you’re ready for anything Mother Nature can throw at you.