10 Ways To Keep Your Home Dry
The recent heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hermine in Central Texas brought wide spread flooding and heavy run off to the Austin Metro area. Home owners scrambled to keep their homes safe and dry. Many home owners are now involved in clean up efforts around their properties. So how can you be better prepared for the next rain storm? Here are 10 tips to help keep your home safe and dry from the next rain storm.
1. Install Rain Gutters - Rain Gutters divert water flow away from your home and help prevent erosion from rain running off the roof top. Don't forget splash blocks at the base of each down spout. A splash block will help control erosion and divert water away form your home.
2. Clean Out Gutters- Rain gutters will do you no good if they are full of leaves and debris. In fact, a dirty rain gutter can actually cause more harm to your home. If the water can not freely flow through your gutters and out the down spouts, the act as a dam and can hold water against you home allowing water to penetrate the roof line. The also become very heavy when filled with water and can actually be ripped loose from your home causing thousands of dollars of damage. So get up on a ladder and inspect your gutters at least twice a year and clean out any leaves and debris.
3. Divert Water Away From Your Home - The dirt around your home should be angled away from your home to allow water to drain away from your foundation. If you live on a hill, make sure that water coming down the hill has a path to divert around your home. This can be accomplished with a drainage trench, landscaping, or a retaining wall. If you have a low spot around your home, consider installing french drains to allow the water some place to go.
4. Caulk and Seal - Make sure all seams around your home are properly caulked and sealed. Water can leak in through gaps around your window casing and doors.
5. Flashing - Flashing is used to reinforce the seal between two surfaces on your roof that are at different angles. This includes around fireplaces, in roof valleys, and where the roof meets a wall. If flashing is not properly installed and sealed, this will create a high risk location that water is going to eventually penetrate.
6. Drip Edge- The bottom edge of your roof is a location where water can be absorbed back up through the plywood roof decking. While this may not create an initial leak, the absorption will eventually lead to wood rot and premature failure. Metal drip edge can be installed around the perimeter to prevent the water from being absorbed by the plywood decking.
7. Clean Up Your Yard - One of the most common problems that prevents water run off is debris in your yard blocking the flow of water. Leaves, sticks, tree limbs, and grass trimmings can create a dam that slows or prevents water from properly draining off of your property. Keep these things cleaned up and help the water flow away from your home.
8. Drainage Culverts - If you have a drainage culvert under your driveway or sidewalk, make sure it is clean of debris and that there is unobstructed access to the entrance at both sides. Also, you should consider replacing any drainage culvert that has been crushed by traffic driving over it. A clear path to and through the culvert is a clear path for the water to get away from your home quickly.
9. Fences and Clearance- If your yard is surrounded by a privacy fence, make sure that water has a way to get under or around your fence. Many home owners place stones or dirt around the perimeter of the fence to prevent their dogs from getting out, but this also prevents the water from getting out. Consider placing a 24"x24" concrete paver under the fence and leave a 2" to 4" gap. This will allow the water to flow under the fence while preventing the dog from digging out.
10. Erosion Control- There are many forms of erosion control and you must choose the type that is appropriate for your situation. Grass is fine for flat to gentle slops. Mulch may provide some benefit for flower beds, but can be easily washed away by flowing water. Gravel and rock can be good for slight slopes that contain gentle flows, but will be washed away by heavy water flows. Concrete is the best solution for areas with moderate to heavy flows.
Keep these tips in mind and make sure that your property is properly prepared and your home will weather the next storm much more soundly.
Celebrating it's 60th birthday today (August 3rd), Whataburger is offering a free hamburger to customers wearing orange tonight between 5PM and 8PM. See the site for details.
Who doesn't love a free Hamburger? With 25 locations in Austin, there is bound to be one near you.
| ADDRESS | CITY | ST | ZIP |
| 6301 W Parmer Ln | Austin | TX | 78729 |
| 13201 Ranch Road 620 N | Austin | TX | 78717 |
| 1520 Cypress Creek Dr. | Cedar Park | TX | 78613 |
| 500 N Bell Blvd | Cedar Park | TX | 78613 |
| 2740 E Whitestone Blvd | Cedar Park | TX | 78613 |
| 14310 N IH 35 | Austin | TX | 78728 |
| 1501 S I H 35 | Round Rock | TX | 78664 |
| 2801 W Anderson Ln | Austin | TX | 78757 |
| 9516 N Lamar Blvd | Austin | TX | 78753 |
| 11135 N IH 35 | Austin | TX | 78753 |
| 6205 N Lamar Blvd | Austin | TX | 78752 |
| 18609 Limestone Commercial Dr. | Pflugerville | TX | 78660 |
| 6106 Cameron Rd | Austin | TX | 78723 |
| 4640 E Palm Valley Blvd | Round Rock | TX | 78664 |
| 3210 E Martin Luther King Jr | Austin | TX | 78721 |
| 601 Barton Springs Rd | Austin | TX | 78704 |
| 2011 Ranch Road 620 S | Lakeway | TX | 78734 |
| 201 S I H 35 | Georgetown | TX | 78628 |
| 2305 Burleson Rd | Austin | TX | 78741 |
| 1908 W Ben White Blvd | Austin | TX | 78704 |
| 6611 S Mo Pac Expy | Austin | TX | 78749 |
| 801 E William Cannon Dr | Austin | TX | 78745 |
| 3400 Slaughter Ln W | Austin | TX | 78748 |
| 9300 S IH 35 | Austin | TX | 78748 |
| 3510 N. Main | Taylor | TX | 76574 |
I love me some rain, but this is just ridiculous. Doesn't mother nature know it is not suppose to rain on a holiday weekend!!! Well, it looks like we will be nice and wet this 4th of July in Austin. We have already received half of our monthly average on the first day of the month. If you're a betting man, odds are good that we will beat the July average rainfall by the 4th. Take a look at the forecast provided by weather.com.
.
Looks like those block buster movies coming out this weekend will have some better than expected numbers. It will be interesting to see whether Avitar or Eclipse takes the honors.
.
.
Whatever you do this weekend, be safe and have a great time.
Friday July 2nd Celebrations:
Carlos & Charlie's:
Always a hit, the Carlos & Charlie's 4th of July fireworks show can be seen from the bar and grill or form the water on your boat.
Where: 5973 Hiline Road, Austin, Texas 78734
When: July 2nd, 2010 - 6 PM to Dark
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.cncaustin.com/
.
Saturday July 3rd Celebrations:
July 4th Celebration in Lakeway:
Hosted by the City of Lakeway, this celebration will include a parade down Lakeway Drive starting at 8:30am. Fireworks, food, and music by Gary Lee Cox Band at the Lakeway City Park begin at 7:30 PM.
Where: Lakeway City Park
When: July 3rd, 2010 - 6 PM to Dark
Parking: Emmaus Catholic Church and Lakeway Elementary School
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.cityoflakeway.com/DocumentView.Aspx?DID=558
Town and Country Optimist Club:
Fireworks show.
Where: 9100 Meadowheath Drive, Austin 78729
When: July 3rd, 2010 - 7 PM to Dark
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.tandcsports.org
Hutto Parade Walk
Downtown walking parade.
Where: 306 E Live Oak, Hutto, TX 78634
When: July 3rd, 2010 - 8 AM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.huttotx.gov/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=1230
Lago Vista July 4 Celebration:
Family fun and games all day long and fireworks at night.
Where: Bar K Park, Lago Vista, TX
When: July 3rd, 2010 - 7:30 AM to Dark
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://lagovistajuly4.org/
Elgin Fourth of July Celebration:
Downtown parade.
Where: Downtown Elgin
When: July 3rd, 2010 - 10 AM
Parking: Side Streets
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.downtownelgin.com/Page.aspx?ID=98&PID=17
.
Sunday July 4th Celebrations:
H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks:
The Austin Symphony will be playing at Auditorium Shores starting at 8:30 PM with fireworks starting about 9:30 PM. Build as the largest fireworks display in Austin, over 100,000 people are expected to take in the show from Auditorium Shores. The Fireworks display will occur over Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake).
Where: Auditorium Shores
When: July 4th, 2010 - 8:30 PM
Parking: Numerous locations, see website.
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.austinsymphony.org/tickets/events/h-e-b-austin-symphony/
Volente Beach 4th of July Fireworks:
Held at the Volente Beach Waterpark on Lake Travis, this show will feature live music and Fireworks on Lake Travis.
Where: 16107 FM 2769 Leander, TX 78641
When: July 4th, 2010 - 8 PM
Parking: Across Street
Admission: $8
Website: http://www.volentebeach.com/
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic:
An annual concert featuring some of Texas' best bands, Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic will be held at the Backyard in Bee Caves, TX.
Live Performances By
AMBER DIGBY - ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL - BEN BURGESS - BILLY JOE SHAVER - DALLAS WAYNE - DAVID ALLEN COE - DEL CASTILLO - FOLK UKE - GREEZINSLAW - JACK INGRAM - JAMEY JOHNSON - JODY NIX & THE TEXAS COWBOYS - OHNNY BUSH - KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - KEVIN FOWLER - LEON RUSSELL - LOS LONEY BOYS - PAULA NELSON & THE GUILTY PLEASURES - RANDY ROGERS BAND - RAY PRICE - RAY WYLIE HUBBARD - THE REFLECTACLES FEATURING - AIL SWANSON - WILLIE NELSON
Where: The Backyard - 13472 Bee Cave Parkway
When: July 4th, 2010 - Noon to ???
Parking: On Site
Admission: $55 for advanced tickets
Website: http://www.thebackyard.net/calendar-concerts-bands.aspx
City of Round Rock's July 4 Frontier Days Celebration:
One of the largest family celebrations in Central Texas, this festival has lots of entertainment for the whole family.
Where: Old Settler's Park 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd
When: July 4th, 2010 - 12 PM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=631
Wimberley Independence Jubilee:
Fireworks and family fun.
Where: South River Business Park
When: July 4th, 2010 - 6 PM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.wimberley.org/9173543_12663.htm
SERTOMA 4th of July Celebration San Gabriel Park:
Family fun and games in the park all day long and fireworks at dark.
Where: San Gabriel Park, Georgetown
When: July 4th, 2010 - 11 AM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.georgetownsertoma.org/4thofjuly.htm
San Marcos Summerfest:
Fireworks and family fun.
Where: San Marcos Plaza - 202 N. CM Allen Pkwy
When: July 4th, 2010 - 5 PM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.summerfestsanmarcos.com/
Dell Diamond / Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express play the Memphis Redbirds followed by a firework show.
Where: Dell Diamond
When: July 4th, 2010 - 7 PM
Parking: On Site
Admission: Tickets Prices
Website: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t102
Cedar Park Fourth of July Celebration
Family fun and fireworks.
Where: Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd
When: July 4th, 2010 - 4 PM to Dark
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us/cp/pr_events_fourth.aspx
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival
Family fun and fireworks.
Where: Crystal Falls Golf Course
When: July 4th, 2010 - 6 PM to Dark
Parking: On Site
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.leandertx.org/event.php?id=122
Hill Country Galleria:
Fireworks, music, and more.
Where: Hill Country Galleria
When: July 4th, 2010 - 2 PM to Dark
Parking: On Site, Free
Admission: Free
Website: http://mallimages.mallfinder.com/events/hillcountry/4thJuly.jpg
...
This post is a reblog of content posted on Shipman Partners Blog site on June 29,2010 by Allen Shipman.
This weekends Real Estate Radio show on KLBJ was a great success. We had a lot of fun and we had some good questions for several callers. David McMillan is an excellant host and runs a great program. I'd like to thank the team at Real Estate Radio for having us on the program. I'd also like to thank Tracy Blair with Gracy Title for setting us up with Real Estate Radio and David McMillian.
If you missed it, you can listen to the Pod cast at the link below.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allen and Melissa Shipman of Shipman Partners will appear on KLBJ 590 AM this Saturday on the Real Estate Radio program from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. David McMillan of United Lending hosts the show every Saturday at 12:00 PM which focuses on the Austin Texas real estate market. Allen and Melissa will make a guest appearance as the weekly in house real estate experts.
Join us this Saturday at noon for an exciting discussion about the Austin real estate market.
Call in with a question or comment. 836-0590
Shipman Partners is a full service real estate brokerage in Austin, TX. We are dedicated to getting the best deals for our buyers and sellers.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
