Moisture, including both humid conditions and the presence of standing water, is responsible for damaging millions of American homes. While flooding is a very visible example of this type of damage, less dramatic examples, such as plumbing leaks, gutter issues, and poor ventilation, are also significant causes of water damage.
In addition to the actual damage caused by contact with water or moisture, homeowners must also worry about the collateral damage they may incur from the development of mold and mildew, as well as the possibility of experiencing compromised air quality inside their home.
If you are a homeowner who would like to lessen your risk of experiencing any type of damage or health issues caused by the infiltration of water or moisture, here are some proactive steps you can take.
Start with your landscaping
Homeowners who want to avoid problems with water infiltration can often see significant improvement by making some relatively simple changes to the landscaping around the perimeter of their home and in adjoining areas. If the lawn and surrounding property currently channels rainwater and melting snow toward the foundation of the home, making changes to the soil to form protective berms, swales, dry wells, and contouring options can be helpful. These landscaping changes will more readily redirect storm, flood, and other sources of water to help prevent the water from settling around the foundation and then seeping through the concrete or masonry walls.
Install or repair gutters and downspouts
Homeowners who notice humidity or moisture issues only after a heavy rain shower has occurred should immediately consider the condition of their guttering system. When checking the condition of the existing gutter system, homeowners will want to focus on making sure that the guttering:
- is in good condition with no corroded areas, leaks, splits, or holes
- is properly installed and attached to the home so that water cannot run down between the guttering and the surface of the home
- is not obstructed with leaves or debris that may be causing water to pool inside and then overflow the edges of the trough
- has properly working downspouts and extenders to automatically direct water away from the home during a rainstorm
Another possible reason for guttering issues is if they were installed incorrectly and do not have the correct amount of pitch to properly channel the water away from the home.
Homeowners who do not currently have guttering on their home and are experiencing water infiltration issues may want to consider having it installed to help offset the issue.
Install dehumidifiers to help improve indoor air quality
If the home has poor indoor air quality due to an unresolved water infiltration issue, a plumbing leak, or poor ventilation, the excessive humidity may cause or contribute to serious health conditions of the occupants. Opting to install and use dehumidifiers while addressing these issues can help homeowners improve indoor air quality, as well as lessen the risk of mold and mildew issues until the water infiltration or moisture issues can be resolved.
Waterproof foundation and crawlspace walls
Homeowners who want to take a lasting action to lessen the risk of water infiltration issues into their home will want to consider waterproofing their exterior foundation or crawl space walls. This process works especially well when waterproof barriers and sealants are applied to the exterior surface of the basement or crawlspace walls along with the installation of a French drain system to collect and carry excess moisture away.
To learn more about the benefits of waterproofing the exterior of your home's foundation or crawl space, homeowners should consider contacting a reputable basement waterproofing company such as Safe-Way Waterproofing for an evaluation and suggestions for their particular water infiltration problem.
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