3 Ways to Combat Spring Rain

 

April has come in with a bang in Michigan, with heavy rain moving in and out this first week of the month. It isn’t surprising, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating when the rain affects your home or property. Here are three ways to combat the spring rain and keep your home safe and dry.

 

Check Gutters and Downspouts

 

Did you forget to do that last gutter cleanout in the fall before the snow started? Or, if you’re like me, did you forget to clean your gutters at all? Either way, debris in your gutters can cause major headaches for your home. When the gutters clog, water can’t flow freely and will find anywhere else to go; that might mean it overflows and falls onto your porch, collecting around your foundation.

 

Even if your gutters are clear, too short of downspouts can cause the same problem as water exits the gutters and simply flows back to your home. Downspouts should be extended far enough away from your home so water discharges away from the foundation. 

 

Check Your Sump Pump (or get one installed!)

 

Spring is a great time to double check your sump pump and make sure it’s running properly. Anything from debris in the mechanism if the pump doesn’t have a cover, to a faulty outlet, can affect performance. You can also call us to service your sump pump - even if we didn’t install it!

 

Don’t have a sump pump? If you have water in your basement, even just a little each year, installing a pump will greatly improve your quality of life. Any water in a basement is too much, so ask us about waterproofing and stop worrying when the water will hit.

 

Consider a Dehumidifier

 

Even if you don’t have standing water in your basement or crawl space, this time of year amps up the humidity throughout your home. Even ambient moisture in the air will cause problems - anything from encouraging mold growth to causing weird smells - and should be controlled.

 

Installing a dehumidifier will keep your home at a comfortable humidity level to make sure you breathe easy while your home is protected from the effects of moisture.

 

While it’s great to be inching our way toward warmer temperatures, this transition always comes with a lot of rain. Luckily, with a few simple steps and maybe a call to us, you can side step the negative effects of rain. Call today to schedule a free inspection and let’s keep your home dry from the ground down.