By Antonio Rojas, Duke Property Inspections
Spring is fast approaching! With winter days behind us, spring storms are heading our way. This is the time for us to be proactive in our preventative measures against the negative effects of storm water. For true moisture protection, it is necessary to start at the top and work downward. Your first line of defense is located at the roof of a structure. The roof is designed to shed water to the gutters and downspouts. Sidings and gutters shed water away from the structure and foundation of the property. Grading and drainage directs that water away from the structure and toward storm drains and water retentions. Each piece of this structure is affected by the former component. When one part is compromised, it can affect everything that comes after. Our goal is to inform professionals on items to look for this spring in order to help reduce major damages due to storm water.
Roof Maintenance
Spring storms can be unpredictable. We often see snow, freezing rain, and a mixture of the two. During a storm is the perfect time to see how the downspouts and roof slopes are performing. Observe the drainage patterns of entire building structures. Downspouts, surface gutters, and drains should be directing water away from the foundation of the structure. After a storm is the perfect time to check the roof. Look for damaged or missing shingles and signs of rusting, cracking, or leaking. Having a contractor actively monitoring and repairing these components, as needed, can save from developing major issues.
Siding Functions
Siding is the exterior wall covering of the home that acts as a “skin” for the house exterior. This protects against the elements, particularly to shed precipitation down and away from the foundation. Siding includes wall surfaces, eaves, soffits, fascia, windows, doors, trim, flashing, sealants, and caulking. If there are any part of these components that fail, this may lead to greater structural damage. All of these items should be inspected by a contractor annually to ensure that are operating as intended.
Landscape Grading and Drainage
Well-maintained landscaping and other improvements are important for the enjoyment of a healthy and durable property. One of the most important parts of landscape is maintaining the proper grading and drainage. If the drainage is poor or non-existent, your entire property can potentially suffer. Excess water in your landscape can lead to damage in trees, roots, and soil erosion. If water is directed toward the foundation of structures, it can eventually lead to major structural damage as well. Once water or structural damage occurs, the cost of remediation can be very expensive. If your property does not have enough grading, water can pool or flood. If your property has too much grading, water will drain away too quickly, and plants will have difficulty surviving. Spring is a busy time for landscape contractors as they prepare for the grow season. I recommend scheduling a walk through with your landscaping contractor to effectively determine the grading and drainage of your property.
Concrete Flatwork
With Denver's soils constantly expanding and contracting as a result of ever-changing temperatures and moisture, it is common for concrete flatwork to settle, sink, and fail in response to soil movement and compaction. Settling creates uneven surfaces that can often result in dangerous trip hazards. Now is a good time to perform those community walks to determine which sidewalks, walkways, and driveways need repair or replacement. There are many factors as to why the pads are settling that can be directly related to storm water mitigation, such as gutter downspouts that are leading directly to concrete pads, and landscape negative grading that leads to areas of a concrete structure instead of water retention areas or storm drains. Having these walk-throughs and assessments of the properties can lead to preventive repairs on other components of the community and can add longevity to the concrete flat work as well. Concrete cracks should also be noted on these site walks. Many believe that concrete cracks are a non- issue, but this is the first sign of action needed. Cracks can give us a "tell" that there is an underlying problem. Once we have identified the problem, we can then remedy a solution for the area. Work with your concrete contractor this spring to ensure your community’s safe from trip hazards.
Spring is a busy time of year. We are starting to see a change in weather and getting ready to ditch our winter coats. Now is the time to be proactive! In order to have sustainable properties that will last for many years, we must start maintaining our environment. By taking the additional time to walk the properties, work with your local contractors, and implement these preventative measures, you can provide storm water protection for your assets.
Antonio Rojas is Owner and Lead Inspector of Duke Property Inspections. He carries 10+ years of experience in Building Construction and Landscape Management. Please visit dukepropertyinspections.com for more information.
