How to Keep Water Away From the House
- 1). Inspect the roof carefully. Remove loose or broken roofing tiles and replace with new tiles, tucking them under existing material and securing them by applying roofing compound with the trowel.
- 2). Look for broken areas on the gutters of your home. Reattach loose gutters securely with wood or masonry screws. Patch holes in gutters by cutting a small patch a bit larger than the hole and securing the patch over the hole with silicone caulk. Press the patch firmly into place. Replace gutters that are too rusted or broken to patch.
- 3). Attach the gutter extension to direct water away from the foundation. Drill holes into the gutter and attach screws to hold the ends together, aiming the end away from the foundation. Extend gutters to empty rainwater 3 feet away from the foundation of your home, recommend James and Morris Carey of Sign On San Diego.
- 4). Built up the soil a few inches higher around the foundation of the house to allow drainage away from foundation walls. Seal leaks in interior foundation walls by removing loose material from cracks and then sealing with cement patching material.
- 5). Dig a trench for a French drain 6 inches wide and 24 inches deep to direct pooled rainwater away from the house, following the downward contours of the property to direct water toward the street. Spread 2 inches of gravel in the bottom of the drain. Place the perforations in the plastic pipe on the bottom of the trench to prevent clogging of the holes. Cover the pipe with additional gravel and then topsoil until the trench is level with the rest of the ground.
