If there is one thing you want to keep outside of your home, it's water. Sure, you want to let water in when you open the tap or turn on the dishwasher, but aside from that, you never want this fluid dripping or flowing into your abode. Water damage is tough to repair, and the mold growth that ensues can cause allergies and other health issues. So, where are some of the most common places for unwanted water to enter your home?

1. Around Your Windows

Windows should be tightly sealed to keep moisture outside. When they are new, they do this well, but as they age, the sashes tend to pull away from the glass, creating tiny gaps. If snow piles up on the outside of the window, it may melt and trickle in. You might also get some leaks around your windows when the wind drives rain against them at a certain angle. 

To correct a leaky window, wait until the forecast is dry for a few years in a row, and then caulk the gap between the window glass and sash. Use silicone caulk for best results. Ultimately, leaks indicate that you need to replace your windows soon. Choosing new windows made from vinyl, rather than wood, will protect you from leaks a lot longer.

2. Through Cracks in the Foundation

Soil below the surface of the ground is moist. This is not a problem if your foundation is in great shape, but most foundations develop at least tiny cracks as they settle. Water can seep through these cracks. You may not see the water actually puddling on the floor, but it will make your basement feel moist. It may moisten the bottoms of any pieces of drywall in your basement and cause mold to develop over time.

The best way to deal with tiny foundation cracks is to have a home waterproofing service come to treat your basement. They can apply a waterproof coating to the foundation to block water from seeping through. If there are any larger cracks, they will first fill these with concrete or a special patching solution.

3. Around Doors

Doors can also become leaky over time. Often, this is due to damage to the weatherstripping, which is a piece of foam or felt that runs along the door frame to fill the gap between the door and the frame. If your weatherstripping is torn or compressed, pull it off. Buy new weatherstripping at a local hardware store. Then, measure the door frame, and cut your weatherstripping to the proper length. Peel off the adhesive backing, and press the weatherstripping onto the door frame. 

If your doors have windows, water can also leak in around the glass panes. As described above, caulking the windows will help tremendously.

4. Through the Roof

The other main source of leaks is above your heads! Roofs can develop leaks even if there are no shingles blown off. If a few shingles start peeling, that's enough for water to come in when the rain blows at a certain angle. Water may also enter around flashing that has been damaged or is peeling. 

There are certain conditions that make roof leaks more likely, such as clogged gutters, large piles of leaves resting on the roof, or a lack of roof maintenance. If you keep your gutters and roof clean and have a roofing company inspect the roof once a year, you'll decrease your risk of leaks. This costs a lot less than paying for roof repairs and to repair the associated water damage.

Now that you know where water comes into your home, keep a close eye out for leaks so you can act promptly when they do occur.

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