Rain, Rain Go Away!
All this rain we have been having can make any underlying grading problems easier to spot. It’s a good time to take a walk around your property and identify any pools of water near your foundation. These typically indicate improper grading around your house. If you find pools of water watch out for any extra moisture, musty smells or water spots in your basement. It’s much easier and cheaper to address this situation before any serious damage to your foundation occurs. Ideally you want a five degree slope away from your home to prevent water from pooling around your foundation.
With heavy rainfalls it’s also a good idea to make sure that your gutters, eavestroughs, and downspouts are all clear and draining away from your home (and your neighbours!). Adding an extender is can be a quick and easy solution to address these issues. Ensure that any sump pumps are in good working condition and think about a back up plan if your power goes out.