Guest Post by Roger Marx
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Water is the basis for life on Earth, but when left unmanaged, its potential as a destructive force can be quite awesome. This is particularly true for homes, with homeowners constantly on the lookout for ways to protect their property from the damaging effects of water. Whether it be dank moisture buildup leading to mold and rot, torrential downpours causing flooding and erosion, or simply standing water resulting in staining and discoloration, there is seemingly no shortage of ways for water to wreak havoc on your house. To help in this regard, consider the following 5 helpful renovation ideas that can help protect your home from water damage.
Roofing Upgrade
The roof is the first place to start when protecting your home from water damage. Old and degraded roofs not only lead to leaks that will cause structural issues throughout the home, but they will also decrease curb appeal and negatively impact resale value.
Unfortunately, most common roofing solutions are not great at protecting the home from precipitation. Asphalt shingles easily blister when confronted with heavy impact, breaking down in as little as 15 years. Wood shakes will absorb moisture, swell, and crack if not regularly treated and maintained.
As such, the best products for moisture resistance are metal, ceramic, and slate roofing. All of these roofing materials are extremely durable and will last over 50 years, even when confronted with harsh conditions. While these are definitely strong points, they are also very expensive and difficult to work with. To secure top-notch protection for your roof in a more convenient form, it is worthwhile to look into composite roofing tiles. Fabricated from asphalt, recycled paper, and fiberglass, these innovative tiles are rated to last 50+ years and provide the highest impact rating in the industry, ensuring a watertight roof for homeowners.
New Floors
Floors are threatened by water damage from a number of angles. Whether from precipitation tracked inside, leaking pipes, or everyday spills, floors must be able to withstand moisture. If you notice any raised, warped, or squishy areas of your floor, this is a possible indication of water damage. It is imperative to get this taken care of as soon as possible, as water damage has a tendency to spiral out of control once it takes root. Some very good replacement flooring that does a great job of resisting moisture are engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl tile, and porcelain tile.
Seal Walls, Doorways, and Windows
Cracks can develop in the transitional areas of the building envelope, such as where doors and window frames meet the walls. When this occurs, water will follow the path of least resistance and enter your home. To combat the problem, many homeowners will either replace the windows and doors or use a silicone- or polyurethane-based sealant to fill in the cracks. While both of these are effective solutions, a more practical measure may be to use liquid applied flashing to seal all penetrations of the wall system. Liquid flashing will be the most effective means of penetrating even the smallest fissures in the building envelope, guaranteeing continuous water-protective covering for your home.
Exterior Drainage
Many people think of interior spaces when it comes to protecting the home from water damage. However, damage done to the exterior is an equally pertinent threat. With this in mind, some of the best landscape drainage solutions for your home’s exterior include:
Slot drains for your driveway to prevent running water from glossing over the surface and eroding surrounding areas
New gutters and roof overhangs to keep precipitation from settling near the home’s foundation
Pool deck drains to keep water from standing around your pool or patio areas
Seal Concrete Surfaces
Although concrete is the most prevalent construction material in the world, it has a tendency to be very porous when left untreated. As a result, it is critical that you protect your sidewalks, patios, and driveways with a high-quality masonry sealant to keep them from absorbing water. To create a waterproof garage floor, the best option would be to apply a latex garage floor paint. This differs from ordinary paint in that it has a pH level more compatible with that of concrete. This allows it to adhere to the garage floor without peeling in the face of heavy traffic and other common chemicals known to find their way onto garage floors.
Protect Your Home From Water Damage With These Effective Tips
Water can be one of the planet’s most destructive forces. Whether it be rot and mold, flooding and erosion, or simply staining and discoloration, water can negatively impact your home in a number of ways. With this in mind, a roofing upgrade, new floors, sealing the building envelope, adding exterior drainage, and sealing concrete surfaces are 5 effective renovation ideas for protecting your home from water damage.
Roger Marx is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and home renovation. Roger is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value and improve sustainability.