Is Rainwater Getting Into Your Home?

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Water leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home. While leaks are most commonly caused by plumbing issues, another common cause is rainwater getting into your home. 

You can usually tell if rainwater is getting into your home when it is raining because there will be damp patches on walls and ceilings. However, sometimes leaks can be hidden – mold growth and dripping sounds could be signs that you need to look out for in this case.

Of course, the best way to determine whether rainwater is getting into your home is to inspect the most common areas of the home where leaks occur. Here are just a few places to inspect to check you haven’t got any leaks.

The roof

It’s worth going up into your attic regularly and looking for signs of damp or mold. Roofs are the most common entrypoint for rainwater leaks. You are most likely to encounter leaks if you have an old roof. If you experience a leak, it could be worth getting a roofing company out to inspect the condition of your roof. A roof replacement could be necessary to not just fix the current leak but also prevent future leaks. 

Windows

Old and poorly fitted windows can also let in water – often through cracks and gaps around the frame. Check for cracks around your windows and signs of damp or mold. Window replacement may be necessary if your windows are very old. In some cases, the problem may be possible simply by repairing the seal. 

Doors

Water can also leak into your home around gaps in doors. It’s important that all exterior doors are fitted with weatherstripping. There also shouldn’t be a gap below the door – a threshold can stop water leaking in here. As with window frames, you should also check there are no cracks and gaps around the door frames. 

Cracks in walls

Cracks in your home’s walls could also be letting in water. Many of these may be easily repairable with some caulk. However, it’s important to understand why cracks are occurring. Large jagged cracks could be a sign of foundation issues. Addressing this problem could be key to preventing future cracks. You should also consider why water is trickling down walls. Overspilling gutter pipes are often a cause of this – you should check that your gutters aren’t blocked to prevent water pouring down the side of your house. 

The basement

Basements are highly prone to leaks. Quite often this is caused by water soaking into the ground and then getting into the basement through cracks. Ideally, the soil around your basement should not be waterlogged. If they are, you may need to check that guttering isn’t blocked and that there is suitable drainage in place around your home (adding a gentle slope leading to french drains is one solution). Installing a damp proof course around the foundations of your home can also stop water getting in. Most homes already have these installed, however some older homes may not have this layer in place or may have a damaged membrane that needs fixing.