Many people have registered retirement funds to supplement their income in their “Golden Years,†this with company and old-age pensions. However, many people have their homes as the primary retirement nest egg. This is not uncommon as the resale price of homes in many part of the country are at record highs and economic indicators point for a continued upward spiral. This means that maintaining the home is of the utmost importance and there should be a maintenance schedule to make sure that this retirement gem will not lose its luster.
Moisture is no Friend
If you look at nature there seems to be a flow to most parts of the landscape. When the snow melts the little streams empty into creeks which then spill into river and, finally, to the sea. Water that is not naturally drained sits in stagnant pools where insects abound and where tree growth is stifled. In a home, if water is not allowed to drain the moisture is even more destructive because, in cases, it can compromise the very structure of the home.
In most case the moisture problem begins with the lack of the present home system to take water from the roof and yard areas and divert them to the sewer drain the way that the streams and creeks do in nature. However, unlike the pond or swamp the water does not sit. If left too long moisture will find its way into the home or promote rot on wooden structures outside the home.
When dealing with maintenance you may see what needs to be done right away. In the lower areas you may see paint peeling or can break a board into dust with your hand. This is a sure sign of moisture problems which also turn into insect damage. Not only does the damaged material need to be removed but either more durable and water-resistant products should replace them and, as well, the source of the damage should be fixed.
Lot Drainage
The key to a dry home is proper home repair, to get the water away from the foundation. If the home is within 20 years old newer then any moisture problem will most likely stem from a clogged drainage system around the basement or a a feature that diverts water toward the home. The incoming water could be well hidden, coming from a neighbor's yard or the street and flowing against the basement wall. If the source of this water is found on the lot then it can be fixed. However, it may take having the basement wall excavated and backfilled with new gravel. If this is to be done then the basement wall should be sealed with a membrane and then a 4†perforated pipe should be laid down to capture any water that comes near the home. The water would drain into the sewer system or be piped into a “dry well†to be allowed to leech into the ground water table.
The Basement Wall
When basements are built the new concrete is usually coated with an asphalt product that blocks the porous nature of the concrete. This is a good method in theory, however, if there are any shifts in the foundation minute cracks can open in this covering allowing moisture to get in. Although this is not a big deal in the short term the longer this goes on the more the moisture withing the wall begins to widen the crack. In addition, the seam between the foundation and the footing is subject to tremendous forces which can open up cracks there.
Cracks in the basement wall can be fixed by hiring a professional basement company. They have many ways to alleviate the problem and are well worth the money. They can fix sizable cracks and seal off the basement.
Gutters and Downspouts
Although water from other sources can be the biggest culprit in dealing with water damage many of the problems stem from faulty gutter and downspout systems. The gutter systems on many homes are either too small for the job or are not properly leading water away from the home. The roof on a 2500 square foot home can spill off a swimming pool-full of water from a heavy rainstorm and that water has to go some where. Sometimes the gutters take in the water but the downspouts are too clogged to take the water so it spills over the edge of the gutter onto the ground where a build up of moisture seeps into the basement. And other times it just takes a good cleaning or the addition of another downspout to fix this problem.
Overgrown Brush and Trees
There are many other sources of rot and deterioration but a not-so-obvious one is the plant life. Letting trees and shrubs take over the landscape will have them, in time, blocking out the sun in regions which promotes mold, mildew and rot. Trees should be pruned and shrubs cut back so that the sun can evaporate watery areas that are shielded by them.
To get the best protection available is best to consult a professional from our Contractor Directory. The services provided will help you make sure that your large investment keeps growing in value. As well, you can post a project on our site, at www.trustedpros.ca to get matched to the right contractor.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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