Spring thaws:Winter to Summer Maintenance

Many Canadians eagerly wait for winter snow to turn into spring bloom, and warm temperatures are a welcome sign, but what does this time of year mean for your home. This time of year can be especially hard for many homes, all due to water. As the snow melts and the ground begins to thaw it becomes full of moisture, typically more than what is caused by even large rainstorms. This prevents a few basic issues. All this moisture posses not only the direct risk of leaking into your home, but also a number of other potential issues that pose a risk to the homes structure and long term value.

Even when a house is properly waterproofed, sitting water can pose a risk. In this case I am referring to sitting water in the sense it is water pooled up against some area of the house, this sitting water not only seeps in to anything it can, it also does not allow the area to dry. This is especially important considering most home foundations are concrete, and concrete is a porous material allows water to seep through. Even with waterproofing, the foundation is not designed to have water sitting for any sort of duration.

This is where the exterior make-up of your home’s lot comes into play. Drainage systems, Grading, and soil type will all affect your homes susceptibility to damage. Does water run towards your house or away from it? And where does it run? Where do the gutters and downspouts direct water? Does the soil surrounding your house retain a lot of water? These are just a few of the many questions that can be crucial to the long term preservation of your home. The answers to these questions change over time as your home ages. Areas that directed water away from your house at one point may have sunk over time and are now doing the opposite, or Downspouts may have changed their trajectory over time. Keep your home happy by staying aware and on top of spring thaws with regular maintenance