The summer rains are often very easy to forget once the clouds go away and daily activities begin again. It would be easy to think that the sudden downpour of rain cannot create a problem since it is just a quick and short one, but when you have multiple storms during the season, then the flaws of your property will slowly show themselves.
The gutters may accumulate some dirt and trash, and there may also be damage to your roof that might not have been there before. There will be more water entering parts of your house that usually stay dry.
Taking some time before the storm season ends is wise to conduct a small inspection of your property.
Start With the Gutters
Gutters take the brunt of summer storms because they’re catching everything the roof sheds: water, grit, seeds, whatever leaves and twigs got knocked loose along the way. Over a summer, that debris compacts. Walk the perimeter of your house after a dry day and look for sagging sections, water stains below the gutter line, or spots where the downspout just isn’t draining. A blocked gutter in an afternoon storm means water is backing up under the shingles, which causes small roof problems to become ceiling stains in October.
Look Up at the Roof Itself
Of course, there is no need for you to climb up there yourself. Binoculars from the yard will tell you a lot. Shingles that are curling, cracked, or just missing outright are the obvious tells. Hail mixed into a summer storm can leave small dark bruises too, easy to miss from the ground, but they add up to real damage. Also worth noting: algae and moss love the combination of humidity and shade that afternoon storms create, and they show up as dark streaks or a slightly greenish tint, usually on the north-facing slope. This is important because the moisture that is trapped against the shingles will reduce their lifespan.
If you’re seeing streaking or buildup and don’t want to deal with it yourself, it’s the kind of job that’s genuinely easier to hand off. A roof cleaning service in Augusta can clear that off safely without damaging the shingles, which is harder to pull off with a rented pressure washer than people expect.
Check the Yard Drainage
Take a walk through your yard when the next rains come, not a few days after the rain. You’re looking for standing water that hasn’t moved in an hour, low spots that have gotten lower, or mulch that’s washed away from foundation beds. Repeated heavy rain reshapes yards more than people realize, and by the end of summer, you might have a drainage path that didn’t exist in June.
Inspect the Foundation and Crawl Space
Afternoon storms are short but intense, and that kind of rainfall is exactly what pushes water toward foundations faster than the soil can absorb it. Changes like new cracks in the foundation, wet basement walls, or an unpleasant odor in the crawl space should be noted. Small hairline cracks are usually fine. Anything that’s widened or that’s letting water through needs a closer look.
Don’t Skip the Screens and Seals
Wind-driven rain finds its way into window tracks and door thresholds over time. Check weatherstripping for gaps and screens for tears. Both wear out faster after a summer of being battered around.
It does not take much more than an hour on a Saturday to do all of that, and a minor problem found now will save you money in the future.
FAQs
What do I need to look for after summer thunderstorms?
Check for any damage to your gutters, roof, yard drainage system, foundation, crawl spaces, windows, doors, screens, and weather stripping.
Why should I inspect my yard drainage after storm season?
Rainfall can cause the formation of new dips, puddles, and drainage routes leading to your foundation.
Can storms affect window and door seals?
Yes, since wind-blown rains may cause damage to weather-stripping, screens, and seals on windows and doors.
In which situations should I hire a professional after a storm?
Hire a professional when you see signs of major roof damage, constant water leakage, large cracks in the foundation, or issues that you can’t personally check.
