The next time it rains, grab an umbrella and go for a walk around your property to inspect existing and potential drainage problems. Start with gutters and downspouts. Look for overflowing gutters. Gutters, leaves, and other tree debris can quickly fill gutters, clogging downspouts and causing water to spill into beds. Ice damage can cause gutters to pull away from the house and allow roof water to flow between the siding and the end of the gutters. Check the ends of downspouts for erosion. You may have blocked or collapsed underground drains that may need to be cleaned or replaced. Alternatively, splash blocks may need to be installed or reset. Splash blocks on the surface can be unsightly. If underground drain lines are required, I suggest installing PVC drain lines that are smooth rather than corrugated ADS drain pipes if possible. I would also include a cleaning connection at the junction of the downspout and drain line so that a hose or plumber’s snake can be inserted to periodically clean the line.
Check the slope of the beds at the foundation of the house.
Do they deviate from the walls? This is what we call positive drainage. Alvin Sacks, a professional drainage consultant, suggests a slope of at least 4 percent that extends at least 6 feet from the house. If the beds or lawn slope into the house, water will collect in these low areas and can seep into the foundation walls. Raise the low places with the ground and slope down from the house. Check the window wells. Are they set high enough that the beds slope away from the house? Are they filled with debris, or are they filled with clean gravel and a few inches of clearance under the windowsills? Over the years, window wells fill up and need to be cleaned. Low window wells may need to be replaced or widened to raise them before adding soil to the beds to promote positive drainage. It’s a good idea to put covers on the window wells to keep water and debris out.
When inspecting, check for low spots in the lawn.
The simplest solution is often to simply incorporate soil and reseed or sod. More extensive grading may be required to remediate large wet areas. Clay soils will stay moist longer than loamy or sandy soils. Usually, standing water is allowed to remain in the lawn for as long as 24 hours after a rain before regarding is considered.
How to get rid of snakes in the house
Snakes can be poisonous and can harm you, your pets, your children or anyone else. They can be lurking in your home without your knowledge and pose many other serious health risks besides the obvious danger of snakebite! While the best way to get rid of find out if there is a snake in your house is usually to seek professional snake removal services, sometimes you can handle the situation yourself. Here are some things you can do to get rid of these reptiles from your property.
Invest in a snake trap
Traps work best when the find out if there is a snake in your house is in your home. These traps are glue based and work like a charm on insects or creepy crawlies on the ground. However, it is advisable not to use them outside your home as they can injure innocent animals and animals that do not even pose a threat to you. Only use snake traps if you see them in your home.
Make your home less attractive to animals
The reason you have a snake in your home is because you live in an area that has a lot of snakes and/or your property has features that make it an attractive and safe option for these animals. If your home has a lot of hiding places, such as garbage, it seems like a safe place for snakes to hide and breed. These places are easy to scan and can remain almost undetected for as long as you want! Even snake removal service professionals will first look for such places where these animals can easily hide. Sometimes, having untamed vegetation around your home is also an attractive habitat for snakes. That is why it is necessary to remove all such places that are excellent hiding places, to fill the gaps under the rocks and to install a thin mesh in an inclined manner to prevent the snakes from entering. Also inspect the perimeter and seal all openings on your property. That can make your home affordable.
Use the help of a professional
Although there are many indoor remedies that can solve the problem, but do not forget that these animals are poisonous and can pose a serious threat if not handled properly. A professional snake removal service is your choice if you are unable to handle the situation yourself. Snake traps or snake repellants will only work up to a certain point, but if you need to properly inspect the property, clean up the mess, and humanely remove the snakes, then you really should call a removal service. These professionals are trained to deal with wild animals.
