When your roof design isn’t properly draining water from your roof, it can be a big problem. In San Antonio and surrounding areas, there can be periods of dry heat quickly followed by several inches of rainwater. This can be tough for your foundation to handle, even more so than frequent rain. It’s important to keep your home’s walls, entrances and foundation free of water. This is why it’s important to properly design your water runoff away from your home’s vital areas. Below, we’ll cover four ways you can do just that.
Over time, gutters need to be replaced or updated. It’s important to properly maintain your gutters as high heat or frequent storms will crack the interior channels over time. If the channels cannot hold water then they are not serving their purpose to your home, not to mention being unsightly. If you see your gutters expanding from your roofline, cracks or leaks in the gutter downspouts or channels, or even rotting wood at the base of your gutters, it’s time to replace your gutter system. Most gutter systems can last 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance, however, many gutters such as copper or steel have a much longer lifespan.
It’s important to keep your gutters as clean as possible to avoid debris build-up. By performing a quick check-in all of your gutter channels every season change and after every heavy storm, you can help ensure the lifespan of your gutters. Some homeowners wait until their gutters show signs of life such as plant sprouts, roots, and twigs coming from the tops and cracks of their gutters. This is detrimental to the health of your gutters and can erode the inside over time. This can also flood your gutters when the rain comes, leaving your house foundation and exterior entrances at risk of water damage and foundation shifts. By regularly checking and cleaning your gutters, you can ensure that the channels and downspouts are free of debris and will help protect your home longer.
Rain chains are unique pieces of metal or metal rings, that help increases the efficiency of your water runoff. These rain chains are popular with many homeowners thanks to their design options and aesthetics. These chains allow rainwater to gradually flow from your gutters’ downspout and to the ground to help avoid washing away topsoil and creating issues with your home’s foundation.
By re-routing the water flow, you can ensure that your home’s foundation is safe from damage during heavier storms. Water gardens are a perfect way to re-route water and help add to your home’s aesthetic appeal. You can also place rain barrels underneath downspouts or create waterfall features by placing clay flowerpots and bowls nearby downspouts filled with stones, pebbles, and other various decorations. This also helps water nearby gardens or lawns.