Parts of the Home Vulnerable to Water Damage

No matter what part of your home, water will always be a threat, which may take the form of rot or leaks. An aspect of proactive maintenance, especially regarding water damage, is knowing where to look. By inspecting the following areas, you can detect water damage before it becomes an even more serious issue.

Burnett Window and Siding, your local home improvement contractor, touches on this subject.

Windows

Ideally, windows should keep sunlight and weather away. That said, they can still be damaged by water. Inefficient windows suffer from condensation and moisture, which can crack and warp the frame, allowing pockets of air to penetrate your home (or leak out).

Siding

Siding is one of the first victims of water. While it can keep you safe from impact, siding can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to water. An exterior siding installation, especially if your existing siding is not water-resistant, can help you improve the insulation and waterproofing of your home.

Basement

Flooding can damage your home’s foundation. If left unchecked, it can cause cracks that can spread to your doors and windows. Make sure there are no pools or flooded areas that occur in the basement.

Attic

Since your attic is closely connected to the roof, you can find leaks and holes here quickly. It’s also safer than climbing up to the roof. This is because potential water damage can weaken the shingles and cause unexpected cave-ins.

Gutters

The rain gutter systems of your home keep water out. That’s why any damage to it is a sign of water damage to your home by extension. Make sure your gutters aren’t clogged by debris; if they are, schedule gutter cleaning and take a look at your roofer’s gutter guard inventory.