Troubleshoot to Beat the Rain

Sunshine! A welcome break from the rains. Before those annual 'April showers' kick in, this is an excellent time to assure that your Eichler is rain-resistant.

Roofs are a top priority when troubleshooting rain-related issues, which is why we first addressed leaking roofs in our recent 'Oh, the Pain from the Rain!' story.

But what about the rest of the house?

'Water water, everywhere' is no joke, and water can seep into hidden places, doing its damage behind the scenes. So the sooner you discover problem areas, the better.

Knowing what to look for can go a long way towards finding solutions. To get a jumpstart on problem solving, we consulted with two busy Bay Area experts who are part of the Eichler Network, general contractor Starburst Construction and handyman Wilson Construction.

Number one: do a walk-thru. Walk around your home, checking the interior and exterior for leaks, or other signs of wet-weather damage. Problems can stem from age, wear and tear, and poor workmanship, so do as thorough a check as possible.

"The best thing to do is a walk-thru of your property," explains Cindy Carey, COO of family owned and operated Starburst Construction out of San Jose. "If there's evidence of water, you can try and troubleshoot it yourself, but try to mitigate the situation from getting more damaged."

"Walk around and see if there are any areas that look soft or wet," she adds. "Water in the inside of the house too…water anywhere. A little leak can go a long way if it's not properly observed."

Cracking on a siding-covered wall, Carey explains, could indicate moisture, or sun exposure over time. Taking the time to investigate is worthwhile, and can help to avoid more costly repairs.

"Watch those beams, especially for older Eichlers that haven't had work done," Carey cautions. "If you have an atrium, and beams are not flashed properly [on their top side], over time those will start rotting away, and then you have to cut a beam away and add flashing."

Steve Wilson of Wilson Construction, a seasoned expert in troubleshooting Eichlers on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, says he's been helping lots of homeowners get through the recent storms.

"I've had tons of siding and beam repair," says Wilson. "The main reason siding fails is because it wasn't primed correctly. Siding is just plywood, and priming it correctly is essential.

"With any piece of siding or trim, I completely coat all sides and edges with a couple of coats of wood primer, which seals and makes it so caulking sticks to it," he says. "You have to prepare the wood before you use sealants, especially siding."