Preparing for Wetter Seasons – How to Protect Your Home

The wet season can bring heavy rains, which increases the threat of flooding and water damage for homes and businesses throughout Melbourne. Frequent rain may cause leaks and mould growth, which often leads to the need for professional flood drying and cleaning solutions.

As the wetter season approaches, use the following steps to protect your home or business.

Inspect the Roof for Signs of Damage

The roof is the first line of defence against heavy rain. Before the wetter seasons arrive, check the roof for damage. Cracked, worn, or missing shingles make it easier for water to penetrate the interior of your property.

Visually inspect the roof from the ground for noticeable signs of damage. If your home or business has a roof leak, you may also notice water spots on the upper walls and ceiling.

Take care of any necessary roof repairs before the heavy rains start to decrease the risk of flood damage.

Clean Out Your Gutters

After the roof, the gutters are the most essential part of the property for shielding against rainfall. Gutters and downspouts are designed to collect rain that falls on the roof and direct it away from the foundation.

If your gutters are clogged, rain may drain along the sides of the house and directly against the foundation. The water can then seep through cracks, leading to basement flooding.
Frequent rainfall may also damage the foundation and decrease the structural stability of the property.

Clean the gutters before the rain comes to get rid of leaves and other debris.

Check the Soil Around the Foundation

Rainfall can gradually erode the soil around your property. Instead of directing rain away from your home or business, the soil may allow more water to drain inward toward the basement.

If the ground slopes downward toward the foundation, add soil to increase the pitch. The ground should gradually drop as you move away from the property. After adding more soil, spread grass seed, mulch, or rock to protect against further erosion.

Check Drains and Pumps for Clogs

A clogged sump pump or drain increases the risk of flooding, especially during the wetter seasons. If water starts backing up or sinks and toilets drain slowly, you may need to inspect the drains for blockage.

Seal Your Windows to Prevent Leaks

Leaks around worn window seals can lead to water damage and promote the spread of mould spores. Inspect the windows around your property for any signs of cracked or brittle seals. You may use caulk to seal the windows or hire professionals to restore or replace the worn windows.

Trim Back Branches Near Your Property

A heavy storm could cause branches on nearby trees to break and damage your property.
Heavy winds can also send leaves and debris into your gutters, which increases the risk of clogs.

Trim back the branches of any trees near your home or business. You may also consider removing any old or rotting trees.

Prepare for the Risk of Flood Damage

Even if you take precautions to prevent flooding, you may still experience water damage and leaks during heavy rainfall.

Prepare for the risk of flood damage by storing valuable documents in waterproof containers. You should also have the phone number of an emergency flood restoration company handy in the event of a flood.