There are many points of entry for water intrusion. Some things can be done by the homeowner to prevent such occurrence.
Water should exit the property completely. Many homes only have the yard sloped so that water runs away from the home and into the street. If water creates a puddle in the yard this is not good. Filling some areas will sometimes help get the water to drain away. Area drains are usually added when the homeowner adds a pool or major landscaping make sure that these drains are check each year before the rains come. Sometimes it is as simple as clearing away debris around the drains. Other times it is necessary to have a professional run a rooter through the pipes to get any debris that was trapped inside the pipes.
Planters next to the house collect dirt and debris and also homeowners add extra mulch which brings up the elevation of the soil to a point above the house plate line. Water will enter if the level of the water rises above the plate line or the threshold at door entries.
Leaking sprinklers under ground can be a big problem as one cannot see the water and the water will sometimes penetrate the house slab.
The exterior of the house comes in many different skins. Many homes have stucco which is usually the least of the products to leak. Some homes have wood or concrete siding. The wood siding is the most prone to leaking as it gets damaged from the sun’s rays and constant watering from sprinklers.
Windows and doors and dissimilar adjacent materials need to be sealed periodically. Buy a good 40 year caulking sealant and seal all of these areas. If the windows or doors themselves are leaking, then call a professional out to repair or replace them.
Gutters need to be cleaned out periodically so they don’t trap water and also so they don’t deteriorate.
Roofs have projections for the various pipes to allow gases to escape as well as chimneys. These need to be sealed at least every three years. The water may be running down between your walls and you don’t even know it. Have an experience roofing contractor service the roof periodically.
Constant water on wood and other materials causes mold and dry rote to wood.
Randal G. Winter Construction Inc. is located at 28348 Constellation Road, Suite 810 in Santa Clarita. License 395715. For more information, please call 661-799-8089 and visit www.RGWinter.com .