Beware of Moisture in The Home

When you own a home, the laundry list of items to attend to is often daunting. There is always a chore to be done, whether it’s siding the house, weeding the yard, or staining your deck. You can always find yourself in a project if you hang around your home long enough. It seems that one important item is missed when reviewing the chore list. When was the last time you inspected your home for water damage?

Your water damage inspection should start outside your house. Afterall it takes some of the most damage due to weather and the change of seasons, it only makes sense to make sure there are no chinks in your home's armor. Look over the outside of the house near any entrance points. This includes a thorough inspection of your window frames, roofing and gutters. Any damaged points should be repaired as soon as possible, and potentially tested for moisture if they were exposed to water for any period of time. 

Another area to inspect outside the home is your yard. A properly flowing yard will allow natural runoff away from your house. If you have a yard that puddles, or holds lots of moisture close to the home, consider landscaping your yard to repair the area and avoid damaging your home. It’s also a great idea to repair any and all cement in your yard, such as walkways or driveways to avoid water erosion. 

The next spaces you should thoroughly look over are any basements, crawl spaces or attics. If you do not make a habit of going into these areas, it’s a great time to check it out for any stagnant water. Attics are vulnerable to leaks due to the joining points of your roof, especially in winter. Where the attic seams together, or anywhere near a chimney could present an easy access point for moisture. These areas are notorious for ice dams. It’s important to make sure that your home survived the winter unscathed, and will get through a humid summer too.

Interior water damage is perhaps the easiest to spot. Cracks in the drywall, bubbling paint or soft walls are all signs of water damage. If you’re noticing any of these, especially paired with discoloration, it’s a sign of a water leak and needs professional attention right away. 
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Water damage isn’t trivial, it can present real health issues and expensive repairs. Some water damage is covered by homeowners insurance, but it’s important to try and maintain your home and avoid filing costly claims when possible. We encourage our customers to take a hands on approach to their homes. If you suspect there is an issue, investigate it. Water damage can appear anywhere in your home, so knowing the signs is an important part of being an effective home owner. It saves you money and time in the long run. In that same token, we also understand that time is not always on our side! We are always around to do thorough inspections and ensure you won’t have mold growing right under your nose. 

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