Moisture entering into your French real estate will attack the strength in the foundation, roof, walls, ceilings, in fact, the whole structure of your home. It will ultimately start eating into your bank account and the value of your French property.
If you have a leaking gutter do not ignore it that leak can be damaging your investment. In fact, as I look around the old French village I live in I see we have gutters on our home but not all houses do. So make sure you have a proper rain drainage system for your home.
Remember the following four steps:
One
When it is raining check to see the rain is being directed in the right way. Is any of your drainage system failing? After heavy rain check to see if there has been water entering your home. Look beside and behind outside drainage pipes, look inside the roof, if possible, check the basement, everywhere you can access.
Two
When it is time to change your clock forward or backward use this time as a reminder on your calendar to check that any machines in your home that use water are not leaking. For example, your water filtration system, your fridge, your hot water tank or sump pump. Remember to also check under the sink in all the rooms that have water piping. Don’t just rely on your vision check for signs of moisture with your hand or a dry cloth
Three
Check perhaps every 3 months for cracks in caulking or sealants around the shower, bathtub and sinks etc. A small entry point for water can lead to big damage behind the scenes. Once you find the entry point seal it off.
Four
If you find any evidence of water that is appearing on your house walls from capillary action, that is potential evidence of the presence of water underground being absorbed up your walls. The water could be from a natural source, from a neighbor’s leak or you may have a broker water pipe underground that is step by step leaking water that will rot your home. Take immediate action by contacting a specialist. Look for this capillary action inside and outside your home.
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