How to Prevent Water from Getting Into Your Home

Is water leaking into your house after heavy rainfall? Depending on the situation, it can become a major concern. How can you go about finding the source of the leak? How do you evaluate the severity of the leak? What measures can be taken to limit damages? Here are some key tips for knowing how to protect your home efficiently and prevent future setbacks.

How to Pinpoint the Source of a Water Leak

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If the situation at hand isn’t highly time-sensitive, try to find where the water could possibly be coming from. Water can infiltrate houses via a myriad of channels:

• Roof

• Windows

• Fondation

• Walls

Walk the perimeter of your property to see if you can spot the source of the leak. Here are some common areas where water tends to infiltrate:

• Crack in the foundation

• Old, crumbling plaster wall

• Clogged or damaged French drain

• Damaged or pyrite-affected concrete slab

• Faulty roofing (poorly sealed flashing, damaged materials)

• Compromised window seals (damaged caulk)

• Damaged brick joints (no longer waterproof)

• Obstructed gutters

Roof Leaks

The following are signs of a roof leak:

• Paint peeling off the walls

• Stains on ceilings

• Water pooling indoors

• Warped ceiling or walls

There are so many factors that can cause water to leak from a roof:

• Damaged materials

• Clogged gutters 

• Construction defect

• Poorly installed waterproofing fabric

• And more

Note that a skilled roofer is trained to find the best problem-based solution.

Water Leaks in Walls

As for walls, signs of a leak can include:

• Moisture stains

• Mould

• Peeling or flaking paint 

And could be caused by the following:

• Cracked masonry

• Faulty caulk joints

• Poorly sealed foundation 

Water build-up around exterior walls, especially during heavy rains, can aggravate the situation. As such, it’s essential to seek out the expertise of a renovation professional to determine the exact cause and find the appropriate solutions to prevent further structural damage. 

Water Leaking Around Doors and Windows

Water leaking around door and window frames is generally a sign of damaged caulking. 

The problem could also stem from damaged components that no longer have adequate protective properties (leaky seal, time-worn window glazing shifted in its frame, damaged sliders). Over time, parts wear, so much so that they may crack, allowing water to seep into homes.

If the root cause of the issue is caulking, you can carry out minor repairs with a dedicated sealant. However, bear in mind that patching up on something truly damaged won’t fix it. If you're not sure about the right fix, contact a window and door repair expert.

Water Seeping Through the Foundation

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Come springtime, as the ground thaws slowly, follow a myriad of foundation-adjacent problems. Concrete doesn’t react all too well to temperature changes, meaning it tends to crack, thereby no longer preventing groundwater build-up. And, if your yard has a negative grade—meaning runoff water is channelled toward your house instead of away from it—the odds of experiencing water infiltration are greatly increased. 

To prevent water ingress through foundation walls, repair cracks in the roughcast render. If it’s already too late, call an expert; they will determine the severity of the problem and find a suitable fix.  

What to Do After a Water Leak?

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Given that there’s a plethora of potential water entry points around a house, the odds that you’ll find the source right off the bat are quite slim. When in doubt, call in a skilled contractor or building inspector.

Naturally, if you're standing in the middle of your living room, and both your feet are sloshing around in a puddle of water, prompt renovation work is your best bet, because, at that point, you aren’t dealing with a water leak, but straight-up flooding.

Water leaks, even in the most minor of cases, can lead to more significant damage and hinder the air quality inside your home (caused by mould and bacteria growth).

How to Fix a Basement Water Leak

Should your basement flood, quick and effective action is vital to limit the damage. After a flood or significant water ingress, your first priority should be to secure the premises, assess the extent of the damage, and thoroughly clean and dry the affected areas to prevent mould growth. Repairing damaged elements shouldn’t be the cornerstone of your concern; instead, focus on implementing preventive measures, such as installing or renovating an existing French drain or installing sump pumps, thereby minimizing the risk of future leaks.  

Water Leaks: Act Fast, Prevent Damages

No matter the extent of water infiltration, here’s a vital piece of advice: act now, or regret it later. You may struggle to find the root cause of the leak, so instead of driving yourself crazy, call in a skilled professional. If possible, thoroughly clean and dry the affected areas. In the event of extensive damage, contact your home insurance provider before carrying out any repairs. Focus on long-term solutions instead of sweeping your issues under the carpet. Temporary fixes are just that, temporary.