Water Damage Prevention Tips Before a Utah Storm

Utah's Storm Patterns: What You're Preparing For

Along the Wasatch Front - Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties - homeowners deal with two distinct water challenges. Spring runoff from the mountains can last weeks as snowpack melts, saturating soil and raising water tables near foundations. Then in July and August, monsoonal moisture rolls in from the south, dropping heavy rain in short windows - often an inch or more in under an hour on terrain that can't absorb it fast enough.

Both scenarios push water toward your home's foundation, through your roof, and into any vulnerable point in the building envelope. The good news: most storm water damage is preventable with some advance preparation.

Start With Your Gutters

Your gutter system is your first line of defense against water intrusion. Clogged gutters overflow during heavy rain, dumping water right at the base of your home's foundation instead of routing it away.

Clean your gutters at least twice a year - once in late fall after leaves have dropped, and once in early spring before storm season. Make sure all gutters are securely attached, sloped toward downspouts, and free of debris. Pay special attention if you have large trees near your roofline.

Your downspouts matter just as much. They should extend at least 6 feet away from the foundation. If your downspouts currently drain too close to the house, add flexible downspout extensions. They're inexpensive and make a real difference.

Hydrostatic Pressure: Why Water Near Your Foundation Is Serious

Water pooling against your foundation isn't just an aesthetic problem - it creates something called hydrostatic pressure. Water is heavy: 100 gallons weighs approximately 833 pounds. When saturated soil presses against your foundation wall, that weight translates into real structural force.

Over time, hydrostatic pressure causes cracks in foundation walls, allows water to seep through poured concrete, and can compromise block foundations. In Utah's clay-heavy soils along the Wasatch benches, water doesn't drain quickly - it holds against your foundation for days after a storm.

The fix: grade your yard so that it slopes away from the foundation at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet. This is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce foundation water intrusion.

Inspect Your Roof

In older Utah homes - particularly those built in the 1960s through 1980s that are common in Salt Lake City's established neighborhoods - roofing materials may be at or past the end of their serviceable life. Damaged shingles, worn flashing around chimneys and vents, and degraded valleys are the most common entry points for storm water.

Before storm season, visually inspect your roof from the ground using binoculars, or hire a roofer for a professional inspection. Look for: missing or curling shingles, damaged flashing, moss or algae growth (a sign of moisture retention), and sagging sections that indicate structural issues below.

Keep Window Tracks Clean

This one's overlooked constantly. Window tracks have small drainage holes designed to route water that enters the track back outside. When those holes get clogged with dirt, debris, and dead insects, water has nowhere to go but inside.

Clean window tracks with a stiff brush and vacuum, then clear the drain holes with a toothpick or small wire. Do this before storm season - it takes 10 minutes per window and prevents water intrusion that can damage sills, drywall, and flooring.

Inspect Stucco and Siding for Cracks

Stucco is common in Utah due to our dry climate, but stucco that develops cracks wider than about 1/8 inch can allow water to penetrate behind the surface during heavy rain. Once water gets behind stucco, it can stay there - hidden - and cause mold and structural damage before you even know there's a problem.

Walk your home's perimeter before storm season and look for: cracks wider than 1/8 inch, areas where stucco is pulling away from the substrate, damaged caulking around windows and doors, and gaps at the base of the wall near grade level. Fill cracks with elastomeric caulk rated for exterior use.

Vinyl and fiber cement siding should also be inspected for warped, cracked, or missing panels, and for gaps in the caulk around trim and openings.

Trim Trees Near Your Home

Large trees near your home create two storm risks: branches can fall onto the roof in high winds, and roots can damage drainage systems and foundation walls over time. Trim branches that extend over your roofline, and consider removing trees that are within 10 feet of the foundation if they're large enough to pose a structural threat.

If Storm Water Gets In

Even well-prepared homes can get water intrusion in severe weather. If storm water enters your home - through the foundation, roof, windows, or any other point - call Five Point Restoration immediately at 801-566-1577. Fast extraction and drying is critical to preventing mold growth, which can begin within 24–48 hours of a water event. We serve the entire Wasatch Front and respond the same day.