East Texas has its fair share of weather. From rain-filled springs to blazing summers, it’s difficult to know how to prepare for a wide range of weather conditions.
With some regular maintenance and upkeep, though, you can protect your home from weather and water damage, no matter the season you’re in.
How Can I Protect My Home?
Drain Water Away From Your Home
Your home may experience seepage if the settled soil allows water to flow toward your home. This drainage is especially damaging to your foundation since storms will push rainwater into your foundation, potentially leading to cracks and damage.
Adding irrigation systems like drains or grading your land differently can keep rainwater from running towards your home.
Periodically Inspect Indoor Plumbing
Regularly checking your indoor plumbing for leaks can save you big headaches down the road. By catching these leaks early, you can fix the damage before it becomes worse.
- Inspect the hoses of your dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and even your refrigerator ice maker.
- Look under your sinks for any dripping water.
- Seal your showers and tubs with caulking to ensure everything is airtight.
Seal Windows & Doors
Even your windows and doors can let in leakage if they don’t have good sealing around them. Caulk and seal any old or damaged areas around your windows to prevent water from getting in. For doors, replace any old or damaged weatherstripping.
Inspect & Repair Roof
Your roof is one of your biggest protectors from the weather, so regularly inspecting it can ensure you have the best coverage from the weather.
If you have missing or damaged shingles, it’s important to repair them so you don’t have any gaps in coverage.
Install Gutter Guards
While gutters are meant to funnel rainfall, sometimes debris like sticks and leaves get stuck in there.
Cleaning your gutters can be a hassle, so installing gutter guards can keep the water running smoothly without you climbing up to clean them every time it rains.
Insulate Pipes to Winterize Your Home
Even Texas can experience subfreezing temperatures. During the winter months, winterizing your pipes can save you from major water damage.
When water freezes inside the pipes, it can expand, causing the pipe to burst. To prevent this, shut off exterior water supplies and insulate the spouts. For indoors, insulate exposed pipes and keep your home warm.
Regularly Trim Trees
Fallen tree limbs can do some major damage to your home and property. They can crush your car, break through windows, puncture roofs, and even damage the sides of your home. That’s why it’s important to regularly trim your trees and check for any dead or dying branches.
Reseal Basement
If your home has a basement, it’s important to check for any leaks. When water seeps into your basement after heavy rain, you likely have cracks in your building foundation.
To prevent the water from getting in, seal the cracks of your basement floors and walls with water sealant to protect vulnerable areas from incoming water.
Creating Homes That Deter Damage
Protecting your home from water and weather often comes down to regular maintenance and fine-tuning the details of your home.
When these details are accounted for already, it makes taking care of your home that much easier.
Hunt Custom Homes prides itself on building expertly designed homes that put your comfort before everything else. We design our homes with East Texas weather conditions in mind so you can spend more time enjoying your home instead of taking care of it.
Want to feel the difference? Browse our new homes and neighborhoods to see the Hunt Custom Homes difference.
Have questions? We are here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
