A light rainstorm can be refreshing, especially after a long stretch of nothing but dry, hot, and sunny weather. While these rainstorms are normally harmless, they can cause a distressing amount of damage to your home if they’re stronger in severity and occur for several days in a row. Understanding the ways that rain can ruin your home is crucial to discovering and fixing these problems before they worsen. Here are three ways that a powerful storm can wreak havoc on your driveway, your roof, and even your health.
Destroy Your Driveway
Most driveways, especially ones made from asphalt, are highly waterproof. Unfortunately, driveways that are older, already damaged, or have drainage problems are extremely prone to developing water damage. Water can infiltrate the pavement and wash away the sand and gravel base. Without the base, the top surface layer of the pavement will become distorted. This can lead to the formation of cracks, both large and small.
The best way to protect your driveway from water damage is to have it sealcoated on a regular basis. Sealcoating will protect your driveway from all kinds of weather, and, as a bonus, will give it an attractive glossy sheen that’s guaranteed to boost your home’s curb appeal. Just remember to properly prepare your driveway for sealcoating before you get started.
Overflow Your Gutters
If your roof is covered with debris or your gutter and downspouts are already clogged, too much rain can cause the gutters to overflow. When the gutters overflow, water will drip down the side of your house and damage the siding. The excess water can also cause the gutters to sag or break off. To keep rainwater from damaging your home, make sure to clean your gutters and roof biannually, if not more often.
Create Health Hazards
Another way that rain can ruin your home is by filling it with health hazards. A powerful and prolonged rainstorm can lead to two things that homeowners dread: harmful mold and sneaky critters. Mold loves moisture and will grow wherever it can find it. In the weeks after a storm, keep an eye out for signs of mold growth on the windows and walls. Mold can cause serious health problems, especially in people with asthma or allergies. It can also cause severe structural damage. For these reasons, it’s incredibly important to identify and remove it before it can spread to the rest of your home.
Rain can also lead to a pest infestation. Critters don’t like being outside during bad weather, just like us, and will attempt to find shelter indoors whenever they can. While some will leave your home as soon as the rain goes away, others will decide that your attic is way more comfortable than a bush and decide to stay. If you hear strange noises or notice mysterious droppings on the floor and on furniture, it may be time to hire a professional exterminator.
