When you ask homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area what our weather is typically like, the answer is that we are known for having sunny skies and a mild, Mediterranean-like climate! At the same time, our region does experience a unique phenomenon known as the “Rainy Season”, which occurs from about late Autumn to Early spring. These months bring much-needed refreshing rain to our city’s dry climate, reducing the risk of wildfires, refilling our water resources, and feeding our green landscapes. At the same time, our climate is changing – there is no debate about that. Many of us experienced last year’s severe Spring rainstorms, and unfortunately, more bouts of heavy rain and flooding are in our future!
And so, our Rainy Season comes with many challenges. For example, our homes are often built on hillsides and are typically not well-sealed against rain. Such homes can be damaged by water intrusion from flooding, and not to mention rains and mudslides. Are there are things we can do to prepare for the Rainy Season? Of course! Are you prepared? Here are three ways homeowners can prepare for the Rainy Season today!
Evaluate your home’s foundation!
In the greater Los Angeles area, homes typically sit on foundations that are built on soft clay soil, which expands during the Rainy Season, causing even concrete foundations to buckle and crack. Moreover, water runoff and pooling around the home can make a foundation brittle over time, and prone to cracking. Add to this mix the occasional earthquake (even a small one), and a typical home’s foundation can be in trouble.
All homeowners should have their foundations inspected for cracks and vulnerabilities by professionals such as the ones at Weinstein Construction, who can provide a foundation inspection at no cost or obligation! Catching issues early can prevent more extensive damage and save thousands of dollars spent later in crack repairs!
Evaluate your home’s basement and crawl space!
In the greater Los Angeles area, homes typically have basements and crawl spaces below their first floor. Such areas often have just a dirt floor and are vented to the outside, and as such they are particularly susceptible to water intrusion, mold, mildew, and the invasion of unwanted pests and critters. Homeowners must regularly have their basements and crawl spaces inspected, in order to ensure that these areas remain clean and dry. Homeowners that are interested in protecting their home for the long run install an affordable crawl space encapsulation system to safeguard such spaces from moisture and pest infestations!
Examine the drainage around your home and property!
During the Rainy Season, rainwater can pool around your home. Such accumulated water can promote the growth of harmful mold and mildew, which can literally “eat” the organic matter that makes up a home. Moreover, accumulated water can damage the home’s concrete foundation, resulting in cracks, shifting, and yes, even structural damage! It’s essential that homeowners make sure their home’s landscaping effectively diverts water away from the property by using drainage systems such as French Drains, Channel Drains, Area Drains, Catch Basins, Flow Wells, and Sump Pumps. Similarly, landscaping should be properly graded away from the home, which will reduce the risk of flooding.
Protect your home’s hardscaping and outdoor wooden and metal elements
Outdoor elements of your home, for example metal elements, concrete driveways and walkways, as well as wood decks and stairs, are particularly susceptible to water-related damage. The metal surfaces of patio furniture, gates, railings, and barbeques can rust. Similarly, concrete hardscaping with porous surfaces can soak up rainwater and then crack, allowing water intrusion into the home. Last but not least, any outdoor wood surfaces can also oak up water and warp or swell.
Homeowners would do well to periodically check all such outdoor elements, ensuring that rust is sanded away from metal surfaces, and appropriate primers and paints are used to inhibit further damage. Concrete surfaces should also be inspected, to ensure that they do not slope and direct rain water to the home. Any cracks in concrete must sealed quickly, to prevent bigger problems down the road! Likewise, protective sealants should be applied to wood elements to ensure their long-term resilience, and any damaged wood should be replaced.
Trust the professionals at Weinstein Construction to help you with your home’s drainage issues! Crawl space and basement waterproofing and foundation repair are important aspects of home ownership and its imperative to keep on top of any issues that come up! Weinstein Construction specialize in basement waterproofing, French drainage installation, leaky basement repair, and basement wall sealing. Our basement foundation waterproofing methods are second to none! Call us today at 818-855-5752 for a free, no-obligation discussion of your needs!
