Preparing Your Home for the Rainy Season

The first big storms usually arrive in October. After that, the ground stays wet for months, roofs rarely dry out and any small weakness gets tested again and again. Fixing problems in September, when it is still dry enough to work outside, is far easier than chasing leaks in December rain. A roof that seeps a little in one storm can soak an attic through a season of storms.

Clean gutters after the leaves and needles fall, and again in mid-winter if tall firs or cedars overhang the roof. Make sure downspouts are connected and carry water several feet from the foundation or into a working drain line. Overflowing gutters dump water right where the crawl space or basement wall is most vulnerable, and they can rot fascia boards and back water under the roof edge.

Look at the roof from the ground with binoculars for missing or lifted shingles, moss, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, and branches resting on the roof. Moss holds water against shingles and lifts their edges. A roofer can treat moss and fix flashing before the rain sets in. Trim branches that touch the roof so winter winds do not grind or drop them onto it.

On a dry day, take a flashlight into the attic. Look for dark stains on the underside of the roof deck, damp or matted insulation and daylight around vents or the chimney. Make sure bath fans vent outside rather than into the attic. Any stain you find now is a leak that will get worse once the storms start.

Open the crawl space access and look for standing water, wet or fallen insulation, a torn vapor barrier and dark spots on joists. In a basement, look for damp walls, efflorescence and musty smells. If water collected last winter, fix the cause now: extend downspouts, regrade soil or ask about a drain and sump.

Wind-driven rain finds gaps around windows, doors and siding. Check caulk and flashing, especially on the south and west sides that face winter storms. Stains below windows inside the house or swollen sills are signs water is already getting in.

Clear leaves from yard drains, driveway grates and the storm drain in front of your house if it is safe to reach. Blocked drains let water pool against foundations and garages during heavy rain.

If your home has a sump pump, pour a bucket of water into the pit to test it. Check that the discharge line is clear and carries water away from the house. A battery backup helps during winter power outages.

Replace rubber washer hoses with braided steel, check under sinks, and know where the main water valve is. Storm season and plumbing failures do not wait for each other.

Read your policy before winter. Storm damage that lets water in through the roof is often covered. Flood, groundwater and slow leaks often are not. Low-lying homes may want flood insurance through FloodSmart (NFIP).

Tall firs and cedars are part of what makes Olympia beautiful, but they also drop needles into gutters all year and branches onto roofs in winter storms. An arborist can check trees near the house and remove limbs that overhang the roof. Gutter guards help, but still need occasional cleaning.

Winter storms often knock out power. Sump pumps stop, and a basement or crawl space can flood within hours. A battery backup pump, or a generator plan, keeps water out until power returns.

If your home has basement windows below ground level, keep the wells clear of leaves and make sure the drain at the bottom works. A well that fills in a downpour can leak around the window.

After the first big storm of the season, walk around the house during rain if you can. Watch where gutters overflow, where water pools and where downspouts empty. Then check the attic and crawl space.

Renters can help by reporting gutter overflow, roof stains and damp smells to the landlord early in the season.

A September weekend on gutters, the roof, the attic, the crawl space and drains prevents most of the calls restoration companies get in January. If you find water anyway, see roof leak ceiling damage or crawl space water damage.

Questions about preparing your home for the rainy season? Call (360) 325-8833 to reach a local Olympia provider, 24 hours a day.