Waterproofing Tips To Keep Water Out Of Your Attic
There are a few places in your home where you do not want water, and the attic is one of them. But other than ensuring your shingles are in good shape, how can you keep water out of the attic? Actually, there are a few simple steps you can take.
Caulk around your roofing vents.
One of the common places for water to leak into the attic is around the edges of roofing vents. Often, water will start leaking in here a little at a time. Then over time, it will cause damage to the surrounding materials, which will lead to even bigger leaks. You can prevent this whole cascade of problems by venturing up into your attic and applying some caulk around the edges of each of your roof vents. You can use standard, silicone caulk, the type you might use in a bathroom. You don't really have to worry about how it looks, since it will just be in your attic. Do make sure you apply the caulk on a dry day, just in case there is already a little water seeping in around the vent. Water might keep the caulk from adhering properly.
Put spray foam insulation around pipes and cables.
While you are up in the attic, you will probably notice some places where pipes, cables, and other elements pass through the walls and ceilings. If you look closely, you will probably notice tiny gaps around these items. These gaps are just large enough to let in little trickles of water, and they also let in cold air, which raises your heating bills. An easy way to seal them against air and water leaks is with spray foam insulation. Buy a can at your local hardware store, and follow the instructions to apply it around any pipes or cords passing into your attic.
Clean your gutters.
This may initially seem like an odd task to put on a list of attic waterproofing tasks, but it is important. Clogged gutters will encourage water to pour down the side of your home, which may give water a chance to seep in any tiny openings it finds. Also, clogged gutters can allow ice to build up along the edge of the roof in the winter, which can damage the shingles and lead to leaks. Clean your gutters twice a year; it will help keep your attic dry.
The waterproofing tips above will help keep your attic, and therefore your home, nice and dry. For additional advice, reach out to a waterproofing company near you.
