Water damage describes many possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, and many others. If your home isn’t properly waterproofed, here are some tips on when/what to do to ensure your home is ready for storm seasons. 

Check Your Roof

Water will be hitting your roof first once it starts to rain. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends checking your roof at least twice of year—fall and spring when the weather tends to be milder—to help spot any problems. If you’d like to inspect your roof yourself first before you contact a service, check for these potential threats to your roof’s integrity: 

• Broken or missing shingles
• Cracked or curling caulk or sealant
• Patches of moss and lichen
• Worn, peeling, or cracked plastic rubber boots around pipes or other roof projections
• Cracked or rusted spots on metal flashings (Flashings are metal
  roof pieces around dormers, chimneys, and vent pipes.)
• A damaged or missing chimney cap
• Shingles that are blistering, cracking, or buckling
• Loose, cracked, or rusted gutters
• Crumbling or missing chimney mortar
• Tree branches or other large debris

Clean Your Gutters

The rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least twice yearly to clear debris out of the way for good water drainage.

Gutters are supposed to last a very long time, but even if they don’t rust, they will still wear out much faster if not kept clean. Too much debris stuck in the gutters and excess water can make them a lot heavier. If the gutters become too heavy, the fasteners can damage or sag. Sagged and damaged gutters will need repairs or replacement, which can be much more costly than regular cleaning sessions.

If you have metal gutters and do not regularly clean them, they will rust quickly. The rust can eat through them, and water will leak through the holes instead of going through the downpipes. There are also many benefits to cleaning your gutters regularly:

• Clean gutters will last twice as long as dirty ones.
• If the gutters are clogged and overflowing, water can infiltrate your house, and the repairs could be costly.
• By cleaning your gutters regularly, you avoid getting downpipes blocked by debris.
• You avoid creating a breeding ground for cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, or mice.
• If you live in an area prone to bushfires, cleaning your gutters avoids fire risk. Leaves and branches in your gutters can catch fire easily, which can, in turn, spread to your house.

Trim Your Trees

Trimming your trees reduces the likelihood of a tree falling or catching the wind, potentially causing additional damage to your home. Trees that are big and bushy, like black olive trees, can easily fall over and take out your roof or car.

Set Up A Generator   

​Getting a genset ready before a storm seasons start is way better than running around trying to set one up during a storm. Ensure your genset is filled with fuel and put in a well-ventilated area. Place the genset away from your house, where it gets a nice breeze. Also, connect a chain from your genset to a nearby structure or tree to prevent it from being stolen.
Never place electrical cords near a mud puddle or water source. If you’re running an electrical cord from the genset to your house, ensure it has a clean path where it won’t get rained on.

Install Downspout Extensions

 Downspouts are just as important as clean gutters. They help water travel down to drain away from our home’s foundation. When water drainage is too close to your foundation, over time, water damage will diminish the foundation. When this happens, your home may experience cracks, bowing walls, basement or crawlspace flooding, etc., which leads to more problems like erosion and mold. 

Our Engineered Waterproofing, team only hires skilled and experienced professionals to do the job right the first time. If you are seeking proper drainage protocol for your home, we are competent and confident in helping your home have better drainage. 

Check For Foundation Issues

When looking for foundation issues inside or outside your home, look for any cracking. Even small hairline cracks can create damage and expand over time. It’s better to get on top of it when the problem is small than when it worsens. See our home page below the fold or on our Foundation Repair page to help you self-diagnose your basement or crawlspace. If you are unsure about your foundation, homeowners will receive a free diagnosis and estimate for their home’s waterproofing needs from Engineered Waterproofing,  

Waterproofing your home before storm season will eliminate the hassle of flooding in your basement/crawlspace once the rain starts. Doing so will also help keep your personal belongings safe from water damage. 

A crack in your foundation wall could be caused by the natural shrinkage of the concrete materials or a warning sign of a serious structural problem, such as a bowing wall. If you have cracks in your foundation, please get in touch with us.

Buckling and bowing foundation walls result from hydrostatic pressure and is a common problem Ohio homeowners deal with. By proactively fixing bowed walls, you can avoid a larger and more expensive issue, such as fixing a collapsed foundation wall.

Install French Drain or Yard Basin

​If you’re more concerned about your yard flooding like it may every storm season, creating a pond where grass used to be, it may be time to invest in proper drainage. Yard drainage systems can be installed to redirect water from your yard so water buildup does not create flooding in and around your home. Flooding in your yard can damage your home’s foundation or cause flooding in your basement or crawlspace. It is better to get this issue resolved before the storm season or winter starts. Don’t hesitate to call for your free estimate from Engineered Waterproofing, We’ll take care of your yard drainage for you at a reasonable price! 

Sewer Line Inspection

Before storm season or even winter, it is best to ensure your sewer pipes get inspected and cleared of debris. 

A sewer camera line inspection will identify all problems, such as root intrusion, broken pipes, blockages, etc. These cameras also help identify grease buildup, leaks, and obstructions. The sewer camera inspection can be repeated after any service to verify that the line has been properly cleaned or repaired. A video camera inspection is recommended if you have experienced repeated drain backups, slow drains, or clogs.

Video inspection in pipelines can help identify the following issues:

• Root intrusion
• Debris blockage
• Bellied drain line
• Leaking pipe joints
• Cracked sewer lateral
• Separated lateral joint
• Deteriorated piping materials
• Blocked storm line

Sources: Wikipedia, RoofRevivers, bricksandagent, Engineered Waterproofing, , peoples trust insurance.