Keeping your home free of water damage can be an ongoing battle, but it's never more important to be aware of potential water damage sources than during the winter, especially if your area receives heavy rain or snow. Areas of your home that you should be especially vigilant about include the roof, foundation, windows and garage door - these can all easily allow water into your home and cause damage over time.
The roof is probably the most important area of your home to keep in good working order. The roof is unfortunately very susceptible to a number of issues that can build up over time and lead to a leak in your home somewhere. Make sure your roof is free of leaves and other debris that can trap water, causing it to back up underneath the shingles or even cause the shingles to deteriorate over time. In addition, cold temperatures can cause frost build-up on the underside of the roof deck that may induce dry rot if the space under your roof isn't properly ventilated.
Having your roof regularly inspected is also an excellent idea - you will be able to detect any potential issues that may have arisen over time before they become a problem.
The foundation is another potential source of difficulty, especially if your yard is not properly drained. Poor drainage can allow water to seep underneath your foundation. If the soil under your home is particularly prone to expanding when it gets wet, this can be very problematic as it may cause the foundation to heave or subside over time. Additionally, if your foundation is cracked in any areas, this can allow water to seep into your home from below and cause damage to your flooring, walls and other areas of your home that water comes in contact with.
Windows are also very important to keep in good repair. Water can easily get into the areas around the frame and damage the surrounding walls - mold and mildew are particularly problematic if water gets trapped in those areas.
Finally, your garage door is another weak spot in your home that you may want to pay close attention to during the winter. The weatherstrip at the bottom of the door should be in good repair - ideally it will make a tight seal at the bottom of the door that prevents rain, snow, dead leaves and other things from entering the garage and potentially making a mess in your garage that could ruin anything on the floor of the garage. Wooden garage doors are also very prone to water damage and should be inspected regularly to make sure that water damage is not gaining a foothold.
To learn more about ways to improve your home and the best tactics and strategies to improve all of your home improvement needs, visit the home repair and services experts.
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