This time of year, we get lots of calls with people struggling with water and AC issues. Below we’ve compiled a few items that we suggest you consider this summer in order to prevent issues as the summer heats up.
Check your gutters and downspouts. It’s very common to clean your gutters when the leaves drop in the Fall, but many forget that things (seeds, leaves, debris, etc.) continue to accumulate in the Spring. With heavy rains in our area, it’s also a good idea to examine your downspouts and be sure that there are no blockages. Soil can dry out quickly in the summer and when we see intense, heavy rains on dry soil, water issues can become a quick problem if your gutters and downspouts aren’t directing water efficiently and to the correct places. You may find it helpful to add a downspout extension if you notice consistent issues with water flow.
Examine your drainage. Make sure soil slopes away from your foundation at least 6 vertical inches in the first 10 feet on all sides of the house and that there are no areas of standing water. Even if your gutters are doing their job correctly, if your soil is leading the water back toward your home, water will still quickly find a way into those dry cracks of dirt near your foundation.
Water your lawn, foundation and trees. We’ve had a lot of rain so far this year, so most soil hasn’t had a chance to dry, but as discussed in the previous 2 points, when soil drys it shrinks creating large cracks. When water is introduced again to these extremely dry areas, it immediately finds it’s way to these cracks and sometimes into your basement. Watering your lawn, trees and slightly around your foundation areas during severe drought can help prevent soil cracks from forming so when rain comes, it can deter extreme flow to the face of your foundation.
Schedule your bi-annual HVAC appointment. Lastly, don’t forget to swap out your filters and schedule your tune up and maintenance check on your Air Conditioning unit. It’s always better to plan ahead than to sweat it out when something breaks down!
If you have questions about any maintenance items on your home, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always available for advice and guidance long after you’ve purchased your home. Don’t forget that we also have a list of qualified vendors to help you with check ups and repairs. See our vendor directory here. Happy Summer!
