Protect your home from hidden dangers of water damage

Happy First Day of Spring!  With Spring in the air, we find our flowers blooming, birds chirping, and our spring cleaning and “honey do” lists growing.  As you prepare your spring cleaning checklist, don’t forget about the outside of your home.  Here are a few places to check and spring maintenance tips to protect your home from hidden dangers of water damage:

1. Clean and check gutters for leaks–standing water in clogged gutters could cause water damage and rotting to the fascia boards and even can damage the roof.  It is important to remove all debris from your gutters and then run a hose from the roof and check the gutters for leaks.  Rainwater that doesn’t run down the downspout can puddle at the foundation leading to ground water invading the crawlspace or basement which if left untreated can lead to mold growth.
2. Check your roof for missing or loose shingles–rain can blow up under loose shingles causing water damage or even your roof to rot if left undetected.  A missing collection of shingles can cause significant water damage inside your home if left unattended.  Repairing or replacing shingles can save thousands of dollars in water damage and stressful insurance claims.
3. Check the siding–pressure washing your siding can keep mold from growing.  Check the paint on all wood surfaces.  If the paint is peeling or weathered away, sand the area, apply a primer and then repaint.  Unattended peeling paint can lead to rot which isn’t covered by most homeowner policies.
4. Exterior caulking–missing or deteriorating caulking can again lead to water damage and rot if not addressed.  Be sure to check around window sills, door seals, and thresholds and scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk as needed.  This not only will help prevent water damage but will also keep out pesky insects and help keep the warmer air out of the house.
5. Test your air conditioning–Springs in the South can sometimes be short with temperatures climbing quickly, so go ahead and schedule and AC technician to come out and look at your unit early.  This way, you can fix any problems early before it is time to start running the air.
6. Look at your landscaping–it is important to make sure that water drains properly away from your home.  Trim bushes next to your home and have a professional trim any trees that hang over your home, fences or buildings around your property.  Winds love to take down trees and knock down limbs during summer storms, so addressing them before the thunderstorms roll in will help prevent some storm damage to your home.

These are just a few maintenance tips to protect your home from hidden dangers of water damage.  If you notice any damage or items needing repairs, go ahead and tackle them as quickly as possible.  A little time and money now can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars later.  Remember, black mold needs water to grow.  Undetected water damage in a crawlspace or under siding or window seals can lead to bigger mold problems.  Give PHC Restoration a call as soon as you see signs of mold growth.