Chicago generally gets a good amount of rain in the spring. It’s great for all the trees and park vegetation, but can cause some serious damage to your home if you’re not prepared. Here are a few tips to help get your Chicago condo or house up to snuff for the rainy season.
First of all, if your building was constructed with split-face block (a common material used during the Chicago condo boom), make sure it is treated with special water repellent sealant. Split-face block is porous, which means water can seep in if it is not protected properly. Talk to your Chicago condo association about having the treatment done and remember, it should be reapplied every five to seven years.
Chicagoans with single-family homes should clean out their gutters after the winter thaw. Oftentimes there are leaves leftover from autumn stuck in the troughs that can prevent water from flowing through the gutters and out away from the house. This isn’t good because the rainwater can cause foundation damage. Avoid the chore altogether by installing gutter guards, which shield your gutters and stop leaves and other debris from entering in the first place.
The wind in the Windy City is known to stir up some major damage during severe rainstorms. Protect your home from fallen branches by keeping those tree limbs trimmed back from your house or condo building. Don’t let large bows hang over the top of your house – they could get blown down in heavy winds and do a number on your roof!
Chicago condo owners should talk to their association board about what seasonal maintenance measures fall upon the unit owners and which are the association’s responsibility. It’s very likely your assessments cover annual landscaping, exterior building upkeep and other measures to safeguard your home against the weather.
