Leaks can be caused by a whole host of issues, including the upcoming rainy season, improper construction, or insufficient waterproofing. The good news is that you can deal with these issues early, stopping a water leak before it gets started. Proper waterproofing helps protect your home from the rains, which in turn saves you from water leak repair costs. The last thing you want is water leaking under your exterior wall and then getting into your home causing several structural damage. So in order to protect the inside of your home, make sure to waterproof the exterior of it.
It’s important to examine what areas of the exterior of the house are prone to water leaks, and what damage can be caused when it goes unaddressed. The internal damage to your home can be major, which is why it is key to keep an eye out for any water damage that occurs. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some areas outside of the home that can lead to damage inside of it.
Outer Decks
Decks are extremely susceptible to water damage due to them being constantly exposed to the elements. And when decks are made of concrete, they are susceptible to cracking due to water leaks. A deck that has experienced a water leak can cause major damage to the exterior walls of your home as well as to the foundation itself if it’s not kept in check. These damages can also affect the inside of your home due to mold buildup, which can be harmful to your health, as well as the health of your loved ones.
Roof Decks
Leaks in a roof deck can lead to a whole host of issues. First, you may have to replace your entire roof which can be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Secondly, the damage caused by the leak can also affect your ceiling, attic, as well as several other parts of your home’s interior. If you have proper waterproofing of your roof decks around your house, then this shouldn’t be an issue, however, it is something that must be taken care of as soon as possible if a leak does occur.
Window Wells
Window wells are another area of the home that without proper waterproofing can create major issues. Not only could the water leak damage your window, but if it goes unnoticed it can seep into your home and start to wreak havoc on the inside. Especially if it’s the well on a sliding glass door, this could start causing problems with the flooring which is a much larger problem. Water can live anywhere and is easy to hide. Make sure to look for water build up in your window wells as well as any discoloration or unpleasant odors.
Garage
Not a common part of the house to think about, your garage could be the cause of a lot of leaking. Due to repeated erosion on the outside of your garage door, water could be leaking underneath it. This can directly affect the flooring inside your garage which can end up causing structural damage to the room itself as well as the foundation. On top of that, it can also make its way into your home, which is why waterproofing your garage is such a fundamental element when building or refurbishing it. You do not want to have a water leak lead its way into your home, when it can be easily avoided.
Ensuring the safety of your home from water leaks is part of home ownership, and should not be taken lightly. There are too many ways for water to get in, especially in southern California, where flooding (after a notoriously long dry season) is a real possibility. At WICR Waterproofing and Construction we make sure that your home is safe from water damage from the outside. Whether it be rain, sleet, hail, or flooding — our waterproofing solutions will always have you covered.
