Protecting Your Home From Rain

With El Nino upon us in Costa Mesa, it is important to think about protecting your home from rain in Southern California. Here is a list of items to think about taking a quick look at to be sure everything is in great shape. After all, water is the one common way a property can be damaged easily in Costa Mesa. Let’s look at the 6 general areas where you can prevent water damage and protect yourself from the heavy rains this winter:

 

In Costa Mesa, water is the biggest regular threat to your home’s foundation, as it can erode its integrity and cause serious problems. There are certain areas of Costa Mesa that have extremely expansive soil, so it is particularly important to keep an eye on foundations. Taking some preventative steps can protect your home and your investment in it, reducing the need for expensive repairs. The most important goal is to keep rainwater from gathering and stagnating near your home’s base, where it can gradually damage the foundation each time it rains. Do a quick walk around your property with your eyes on the foundation. Be on the lookout for any cracks and holes. Small cracks can be ignored, but larger ones should be repaired to prevent water from seeping into your house. For details, see step #2 of Inspect Your Foundation on this website. Also, if you see any large holes in the dirt, or lower grades that look like it could give water a chance to pool or gain access, then take note of these repairs: Slant the soil around your home, so that it slopes downward away from the house. Water that slopes toward the house or is flat can channel water to the base of the home. An area of at least 5 feet around the home should be graded away from the house for maximum benefit. Regularly cleaning out gutters of your home will keep water away from the base of your home, where it stand to cause the most damage. Storm drains can also keep rainwater flowing to more beneficial areas, such as the garden, rather than the base of the home. Precautions like these can preserve your home’s foundation, preventing damage that can be severe in times in Costa Mesa when we receive heavy rainfall. Spending a small amount of time and money now can keep you from spending thousands later on to repair extensive damage to your home.

Wet winters and heavy storms can be very harmful to exterior paint in Costa Mesa. Do another loop around your property, this time with your eyes on your exterior paint. Look at the stucco or siding, and look for any bubbling, peeling or cracking paint. It is best to touch up any problem areas you see as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your siding or stucco, and be sure to do it prior to the rains coming. Bare siding is one way to invite termites for a long stay, and cracked stucco will only create greater chance for water intrusion.

Lots of homes in Costa Mesa don’t have gutters because it does not rain that often. They are however a great way to maintain a property so that water does not damage your foundation over time, and keeps water flowing away from a home. This inexpensive option is a simple addition that can significantly reduce the water damage to your home’s foundation over time. And the simple task of clearing them will reduce the likelihood of any costly or extensive repairs. After you install gutters, it’s important to know that dirt and debris can easily clog your gutters, causing rain water to backup in the gutters which will lead to potential damage for your home. A few of the costly problems clogged gutters can create are rotted fascia boards and not doing what they were intended to do – keeping water away from your foundation. Make sure to clear gutters of all leaves and other debris regularly so you’re safe the next time rain is in the forecast. See our gutter cleaning video on this page. Installing gutter extenders can direct the water from your gutters away from the base of the home, where it can pool and seep into the foundation area.

 

Check your downspouts while it’s raining to see exactly where they’re dumping water. If water is pooling less than five feet away from your house, redirect it with gutter extensions to prevent water damage to your home. These can be found at your local hardware store for $10-$50 depending on their length.

This is a big one. Missing or worn-out roofing materials may allow water to seep into your home and damage your roofing structure. Inspect your roof at least twice a year, and especially after any severe storms. If you have an attic, you can look for signs of water penetration or stains under the roof after it rains. To do this, inspect the underside of the plywood beneath your roof for any watermarks or mold. It is sometimes easiest with a flashlight – you don’t necessarily need to crawl through every bit of your attic. If you have a composition style roof, be sure to keep an eye on your roof ridge caps. They are the part that are on the peak of the roof and will wear out first from sun damage in Costa Mesa, typically about 7-10 years.

Don’t forget about the other parts of your home. A broken window will allow water to seep into a window frame. An open crawl space on raised foundation homes allows for water, rodents and pests to create damage over time. It’s winter, so take a few minutes this weekend to check out your house!