Looking after your property includes protecting it against harsh weather conditions. From extreme cold winters to scorching hot summers, your home can start to suffer if you don’t weatherproof it appropriately.
Here are some top tips RCPM Solutions brings you to help put the right contingencies in place to make your property last for as long as possible.
1. Take Steps to Prevent Damp
Damp can creep into your home regardless of the steps you take to prevent it. But putting measures in place to protect from damp can at least prolong the time before damp problems arise.
Any cracks or leaks in the home should be quickly fixed to stop them getting worse. If you notice any damp appearing, get in touch with a contractor who specializes in damp removal.
Other measures such as damp-proof paint can help in keeping away this unwanted problem for as long as possible. However, in some situations, it is very difficult to identify the source of dampness.
This is when you need to be as fast as possible and work with the damp removal specialist.
2. Inspect Your Home After Extreme Weather
Extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms or heavy rains can cause long-lasting problems in your home. Furthermore, these problems can become worse over time and more costly to repair.
If your area has been hit by extreme weather recently, take the time to inspect your home for any new problems which may have occurred.
Existing minor problems may have worsened, so check any areas of the property where you know there are concerns.
For instance, you should always check your basement and the exterior of your home after a strong thunderstorm or a flood.
This is because foundation cracks might have appeared. In time, these cracks keep growing and you can even end up with structural property damage that could bring down the entire house in time.
You can find out more about how to find a contractor to repair your home’s storm damage and other weather damage by looking on social media networks and local listing sites.
Asking friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations will give you a better chance of finding a trusted and reputable contractor.
3. Invest in Your Doors and Windows
Investing time and money into weatherproofing your doors and windows can go a long way to protecting your home against the effects of extreme weather conditions.
Hot summers and long periods of sunshine could cause wooden frames and paintwork to start cracking and weakening. Harsh winters can create damp in the windows and doors, making them more susceptible to leaks.
Ensure your windows and doors are regularly painted and inspected so that you can quickly remedy any issues. Make sure to also look at the areas around windows and doors since they might be affected.
Remember that in some cases, contractors take shortcuts when they install such features. What you think is filled might be empty, which would drastically undermine how waterproof your home is.
4. Maintain Your Garden Areas
An untidy garden can exacerbate weather-related problems for your property. Piles of wet leaves and soil can encourage damp to start forming around the building, so removing this on a regular basis will prevent this and keep your garden looking cleaner.
Clean any patio areas and don’t keep patio furniture stored closely to the building. Assess any sheds or greenhouses in your garden monthly to check for any leaks or damage.
You should also check the slope of your garden. Is the water moving towards your home’s foundation? If so, even if there is no problem right now, in time, it will surely appear.
Keep in mind that water has a way of slowly damaging any concrete-based structure. This is why there should be a way to move water away from your home to be protected.
5. Use Drought Excluders
Inside your home, use drought excluders to help weatherproof your property as well as keeping it warmer.
These handy accessories are not expensive to buy, they’re simple to make, and can be used at the bottom of all the doors around your house.
They are particularly useful in the winter when the temperature drops and draughts are more likely to enter, but they can also be used in the summer. They keep the water out and the warmth in.
Final Thoughts
Waterproofing your home does seem quite simple but the truth is that it can be quite complicated. This is especially the case when looking at older homes that were built when there were no advanced waterproofing methods available like we have access to these days.
The last thing that should be said is that it is normal for you to not be aware of everything related to waterproofing a home.
This is why specialists exist and why it is such a good idea to contact a contractor or a home inspector that would be able to help you.