The Clore Law Group offer the following useful guidance for addressing areas vulnerable to water damage. When prevention is not enough to avoid water damage, like that from a a hurricane, contact the Clore Law Group.
Seal Gaps
Aging and weather can lead to gaps around the penetrations entering your home and around windows and doors. Gaps can form in areas such as where water faucet pipes, gas pipes and air conditioning pipes enter the walls. Gaps also may exist behind electrical outlets, junction boxes, circuit breaker boxes and electric and water meters. Cracks or voids under window sills also can appear due to weather and aging. Water can enter through these openings and cause significant damage that you may not notice until it is too late and major repairs are needed.
To seal these gaps, apply caulk. The type of caulk you use will depend upon the location where it’s needed. The following are basic categories of caulk: waterproof, waterproof and paintable and paintable with no water protection.
Redirect Pooling Water
Pooling water near a house can lead to significant interior damage. If the finished floor of a house is at least 6 inches above soil and mulch, wind-driven water can accumulate next to the house and blow up against the wall. This could lead to water getting inside and damaging the walls and other interior finishes.
Address this problem by looking at the grading of the property.
The grading should direct water away from the house to avoid pooling water.
If water has gotten inside a house after heavy rains or there is standing water next to the house, this puts the house at significant risk of damage.
Evaluate the drainage of the property and consider adding a waterproof membrane to the wall where leaks have occurred.
Adding ground or French drains can help move water away from the house.
If there are penetrations of a house within 6 inches of the ground, the grading may not be sufficient to keep water from pooling next to the house. This could allow water to be blown up by high winds and get inside these penetrations.
Caulk around the penetrations and use sandbags to create a barrier around the penetration.
Sandbags should be placed directly against the house to avoid creating a dyke that can hold water behind it and against the house.
