Prepare your real estate for the rainy season. Essential tips to safeguard your property and prevent costly damage.
Don’t get all wet. Prepare for the rainy season while it’s dry.
As Benjamin Franklin once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It is worth taking a look around your house as the rainy season begins because finding out you have a problem during inclement conditions is at best inconvenient and at worst very costly. Here are a few important tasks to check off this fall.
Check your rain gutters.
Clear them out and make sure they are in good working order to prevent damage to the roof or house.
Look at your roof.
If you see loose or damaged shingles, get them repaired. Look for tears and buckling on flashing. Check the chimney and look for damaged bricks, cap or cracked joints. Don’t forget the flashing there too.
Check indoors for signs of roof leaks.
Look for discoloration and peeling paint on ceilings and walls. Check in the attic for damp rafters.
Check the trees.
Trim back branches and cut sections that could fall in a rainstorm.
Check doors and windows.
Make sure they are properly insulated with weather stripping.
Look for water collecting at the base of the house.
Redirect water with trenches or drains.
Keep sandbags on hand.
If your area is prone to flooding, keep them filled and at the ready.
Check for erosion.
This is important if you live near a hillside. Shore them up if necessary.
