Ways To Protect Your Home From Heavy Rain

You’ve heard the saying: It never rains, but it pours!

And that saying can be true to so many of us, not only when discussing the various challenges we face in life, but with the actual weather too! Particularly when that rain is heavy, we can experience water damage in our homes, and that can lead to financial losses and practical difficulties. Oh, and we can get more than a little wet in the process too!

So, in a follow on to our article on preparing your home for the worst of weather, here are some tips to help you protect your home from the consequences of heavy rain.

#1: Insure your home
While there are practical things you can do to physically protect your home from the rain (as we will see in a moment), this is something else that you need to do if you haven’t already. By purchasing homeowners insurance, you can protect your property and everything in it if water damage takes place. Well, this is partly true. Some insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by a flood, so you should always check the fine print when looking for an insurer. You might also want to do this if you already have an insurance policy, as you might need to add flood insurance to your policy if flooding is a consequence of heavy rain in your area.

Check out this article for more info: How to Get Your Insurance Company to Pay for Water Damage Restoration.

#2: Check the roof
Now, you probably shouldn’t risk life and limb climbing ladders and clambering up onto your roof yourself. That is something you should leave to a professional roofer. However, you can still inspect your roof from down below or your bedroom window, as you might be able to spot signs of damage, such as a missing or a cracked tile. Look for signs of problems around the parapet walls too, such as damaged mortar joints or cracks around the ridges. Any one of these issues could expose the inside of your home to the effects of heavy rain, including leaks, mold, and water damage. So, hire somebody to have a proper look if you suspect there is damage and pay for any repairs necessary.

#3: Inspect your gutters
Your gutters are supposed to collect and funnel away rainwater, but if they are blocked with leaves or other debris, your home will be put at risk if water builds up. Your home’s woodwork can perish, brickwork can erode, and leakage and mold could become an issue. So, make it a habit to check your gutters regularly, especially during the windy seasons when blockages become likely. If your gutters are blocked, use a trowel or similar to scoop out any gunk or buy something from your local hardware store that can be attached to a hosepipe to wash the muck away. Check to see that your gutters aren’t broken either, as the water flow can be interrupted if so, and this could cause damage if water is channeled to the exterior of your property.

Finally
Of course, there are also common sense things you can do too. Don’t leave your doors and windows open when there is heavy rain, and if there is any foliage hanging near your gutters, get the trimmers out to reduce the chances of a blockage. Don’t take any risks either. If you spot signs of damp in your home, there is obviously a problem somewhere, and it could be from the roof or gutters. Call out a professional before things get worse, as you don’t want to experience the consequences of heavy rain in your home!

Take care, and thanks for reading.