We seem to be having a good deal of precipitation in the Chicago area in addition to a fair amount of melting snow. Here are some tips to keep a moisture-free home when heavy storms and high humidity roll in.
Keep Both Rainwater And Humidity Out Of Your Home
It is a good idea to do a quick check around your home to make sure that there are no drainage issues that need to be addressed before any heavy summer thunderstorms. It is also beneficial to consider adding a dehumidifier to your home cooling system to cut down on the humidity indoors.
Check Your Gutters For Clogs
The first thing you will want to do is check the gutters and downspouts to ensure that they are working properly. After the trees have dropped all their seed pods, they often end up in your gutters and block rain water from draining. You may want to go outside during a heavy rain to make sure that water is flowing through the system without backing up or pooling anywhere near the foundation of your home. A home’s failure to drain properly can begin with something as simple as gutters clogged with leaves and debris, causing water to pool.
Downspout Extensions Work Great
Consider extending the downspouts to take water farther away from your home. Most hardware stores will sell larger sections of gutter, or even corrugated tubing, designed to carry water further away from your home. Simply moving water further away can help ensure that your foundation stays dry during the hardest rains. This can help to keep your basement dry as well.
If there are low spots that dip near the foundation of the home, consider using fill dirt to even out the land around your house, and keep water running away from your home.
Investing In A Whole-House Dehumidifier Can Save Energy And Keep You More Comfortable
One great solution for keeping the humidity down in your home is a whole-house dehumidifier. There will be evenings when the temperature is only 78 degrees but the humidity is very high. Your cooling system will not run very much because the temperature isn’t very high. The whole-house dehumidifier units from manufacturers like Honeywell use the duct system in your home to remove moisture in the air, creating a more comfortable environment. You will feel much more comfortable without utilizing as much energy.
It is far better to invest a little time at the onset of spring and summer to take a few preventative measures than to deal with water damage after the fact. Make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep moisture out of your home. It is far too expensive and a hassle to deal with once there has been water damage in the basement.
For more great tips on keeping your home dry, visit our blog, Solutions To Mold And Mildew Caused By Air Conditioning, and Surviving Grueling Chicago Summers.
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