Don’t Let Rain Ruin Your Home: Simple Fixes That Could Save You Big
It’s another rainy day, and I bet many of you think, “Well, I guess I can’t do much outside.” But while you’re sitting inside, that rain could be silently causing damage to your home! Neglecting things like blocked drains and leaking gutters might seem small now, but they can lead to some costly repairs.
Why Little Maintenance Tasks Matter
In the video, I stroll around this old building that’s seen better days. It’s about 500 years old and was once a priory converted into a mansion during the Tudor era (fun fact: Henry VIII gave it to his uncle). But despite its grand history, it’s a perfect example of what happens when you ignore basic maintenance.
The current state of the building? Not great. There’s water running down the walls, cracks in the masonry, and blocked drains everywhere. And while this might seem like an extreme case, the same issues can happen to your home if you’re not keeping up with the small stuff.
How Rainwater Can Wreck Your Home
Let’s break down what happens when you don’t manage rainwater properly:
Leaking Gutters: When gutters are clogged or leaking, water spills down the walls. Over time, that moisture seeps into the bricks and mortar, leading to cracks, stains, and even structural damage.
Blocked Drains: If your drains are clogged, water collects around the foundation, softening the ground and causing subsidence (i.e., your house could sink a little).
Overflow Pipes: Overflow pipes are supposed to direct water away from your home, but when they’re not working, they can cause water to pool, creating even more damage.
I show several spots in this video where rain has done its worst. The brickwork is crumbling, and the water stains are everywhere. Even though it’s a listed building (so technically, it should be protected), it’s clear that someone’s been slacking on upkeep.
Minor Fixes, Big Savings
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a professional to spot these problems, and the fixes are often simple. Just walking around your home during the rain can reveal a lot. Look for signs like:
Water running down walls.
Stains under gutters or overflow pipes.
Blocked drains with water pooling around them.
A little bit of attention to these things now could save you a fortune in repairs later. For instance, in the video, there’s a spot where just repositioning a pipe could stop water from leaking down the wall. Another fix? Just clearing out a blocked drain that’s causing water to run into a doorway. These are all 10-minute jobs that cost next to nothing but can prevent major headaches.
The Bigger Lesson
Sure, the building in the video is a centuries-old mansion, but this advice applies to all of us. Rainwater is a sneaky destroyer, and if you’re not careful, it can cause significant damage without you even realizing it. So, next time it’s pouring, grab an umbrella and walk around your house. See what’s happening, and if you spot any minor issues, take care of them before they become big problems.
Final Thought
It’s easy to put off home maintenance, especially when it seems like a minor issue. But trust me, a little TLC now will save you from huge repair bills in the future. Don’t wait for something to break—take action while the fix is still cheap and easy!
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🔗 OTHER LINKS
Reasons to go house hunting in the rain
• https://crescentcityliving.com/for-buyers/reasons-go-house-hunting-rain
Reigate Priory
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reigate_Priory
William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard,_1st_Baron_Howard_of_Effingham
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📖 CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:00 Reigate Priory
02:00 Parapets
03:00 Blocked Drains
04:00 Rain Damage
04:45 Ground Water
05:26 Vegetation
06:03 Leaking Gutter
06:56 Wet Brickwork
07:42 Broken Drainpipe
08:30 Plastic Gutters