Although it is important for rain to replenish our water supply and keep our trees and plants healthy and attractive, water intrusion into our homes and other buildings can present serious health and structural risks when it remains inside the wall cavities.
- Install waterproof barriers in your basement and crawlspace walls to prevent it from penetrating the walls or it may cause wood rot and mold growth.
- Inspect roofs for leaks because even relatively small leaks can cause wood rot and mold blooms. If you find any leaks patch them to prevent or eliminate water intrusion.
- Caulk around all your windows and doors.
- Direct all water coming off your roof away from your house by sloping the soil around your house or building so that water flows away from it.
- Use wide overhangs to keep the rain away from your walls and windows.
- Use large gutters and gutter guards to help keep rain from dripping onto the ground near your house or building.
- Be sure that the condensate from your air conditioner is properly drained away from your house
- Make sure that sprinklers and other watering systems for your lawn or flowerbeds do not spray water on the side of your house or building or saturate the ground near the house.
- Make sure to adequately ventilate your home of building because rain isn’t the only culprit: people generate moisture when they cook, shower, do laundry, and even when they breathe.
- Carefully plan moisture escape paths for attics, crawl spaces and other areas in your home or other building that have limited air circulation.