Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away Unnoticed: Checking Your Home After a Storm
I hope everyone has managed all this rain. While rain can be all doom and gloom, it is a great time to look for course corrections. In certain locations, our soil is very dense, and clay like which can lead to a low percolation rate.
The easiest spot to check is the basement. Water is a clear sign that there is water seeping in through the foundation. If you have an older home, it may not have the amount of sump pumps necessary, or even french drains. Our weather has evolved quite a bit and with that, it means we must make our homes evolve with the times.
After the basement, walk the exterior of your property. Is their pooling near the home? If yes, are your gutters clear (I recommend in areas with lots of trees, that gutters get cleaned at least twice a year, even if you have gutter guards… they are no match to pine needles). If there is a lot of pooling, how far do your gutters extend? If they are ending right at the ground, inches from your house- that could be an issue. We like water to come out 5-10’ from the house to protect the foundation. You can get gutter extenders at low prices, and they can help almost instantly.
If you have checked your gutters and still have pooling, it is time to phone a friend- a Professional one- to see some remedies you can make either topography wise, or french drain wise, on the exterior or more support inside.
Whatever you do, please do not ignore standing water. It can lead to mold inside, foundation damage, and more insects (termites and carpenter ants love mositure).
If you have any questions or need resources, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Oh… one more thing… Yoga in the Garden is happening soon. Aug 30th 9:30-12:30 and is hosted in conjunction with Yoga Six. Excited to spotlight some incredible small business as well, like Butter and Bow and Shapero.
