Help Prevent Water Damage with Four Weatherproofing Tips

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

There are many things that can impact how well a home can resist severe weather and water intrusion, such as the age of the house, overall exposure and the integrity of the construction. It is smart to consider where your home stands with this and what improvements you may need to make it more resilient—especially considering that 50% of all homeowners’ insurance claims are due to weather.

The good news is that increasing a house’s resilience to weather  and water is inexpensive and not overly time-consuming. In most cases it is better to be safe than sorry, so here are some of our top weatherproofing tips so you can rest easy the next time heavy rains head your way.

Maintain the Roof with Regular Inspections

A leaking roof is typically thought of as a problem for older homes, but even newer homes can develop leaks for an assortment of reasons. By regularly inspecting your roof and monitoring the appearance of your shingles, you can easily determine  if roof repairs need to be scheduled.

Weatherstripping

Most people know watherstripping provides extra insulation helping to save you tremendously on your electric bills. Weatherstripping helps to seal cracks or gaps around doors and windows, which helps prevent water intrusion. Weatherstripping is easy to install and cost effective, so the benefits are well worth the time and effort.

Clean out Gutters

Cleaning out gutters helps prevent the build-up of leaves and debris and should be done at least twice a year. Regular inspections should also be performed in the interim. A few things to look for are odd drainage patterns, standing water or visible cracks the next time it rains so you can determine if repairs should be made to your system in the near future.

Pick the Right Paint

Paint has turned into more than just a color decision because of all the options for finishes and technology that are on the market. Investing in exterior paint with waterproofing and UV-resistant technology can help your home age gracefully and be less affected when stormy weather is heading your way.

If you have issues with water damage to your home, SERVPRO of Palo Alto is always here to help. Contact us 24 hours a day for a rapid response.