(NC)—The change in season can lead to many avoidable water problems in your home and garden, but by taking precautions early on in spring you can keep from getting waterlogged. Here are a few tips from The Home Depot Canada to get your home ready for the Spring thaw:
Restore rain gutters – During a storm, rain gutters drain water and additional runoff away from the house. By ensuring that gutters are clear to do their job you protect siding, windows, doors and foundations from water damage and help prevent flooding in the basement. First, scoop out loose debris, like leaves, then blast out the gutters with a hose. Clear any obstructions in drainpipes to maintain water flow, repair leaks and re-align sagging gutters.
Keep shovelling – Water from melting snow may result in a wet basement if allowed to run down along the basement wall. Moving the snow just three to five feet from the house will reduce water problems.
Avoid a muddy yard – Keep the ground surrounding your home from retaining too much moisture by removing snow from around the yard, minimizing soft, wet soil conditions. A 10-foot high pile of snow contains about 2,600 gallons of water and can easily flood a yard on a warm day. Flooding can be avoided by moving the snow to well drained areas.
Rake away – Use a rake to remove all winter debris from your lawn. This allows it to breathe and prepares it for any reseeding or repair.
Air it out – Aerate your lawn by poking holes over the surface with a garden fork. This allows water to penetrate deeper in the lawn soil and reduces the need to water during the drier months.
Fertilize with care – There's no need to fertilize your lawn if it appears well after the winter, especially if you've fertilized in the Fall. Over fertilizing your lawn in the Spring causes the grass to experience top growth at the expense of root growth.
There are more tips on maintaining your home and garden online at www.homedepot.ca.
- News Canada
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