How to Prevent Water Damage

We’ve been getting a lot of rain lately, and this always reminds us that we need to check out our sump pumps. Just after a big rainstorm is the best time to check, and we’ll be showing you what we need to look at.

Your sump pump will be located in your basement, and we install one to two sump pits that allow water from the outside to drain into. It’s a collection point, and any water that falls into the pit must be removed via a shop vac or a sump pump. If your home has a sump pump, pay attention to the electrical outlet. It must be a GFCI outlet with a test button. It’s important to have a power test button so that your pump doesn’t stop functioning during a storm. You can use an outlet tester or simply plug in a night light to ensure that the bulb remains lit. You have to make sure that you’re maintaining power to the pump.

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The best time to check your pump is directly after a storm.

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Another recommendation is a flood alarm or a water sensor. This will detect when your sump pit is reaching the maximum level and you are coming close to a breach that will flood your basement. The sump pump motor floats in the water, and once it reaches a certain level, it’s activated and will start pumping again until it goes back down to an appropriate level.

You should also walk around your basement after a storm to check for any seepage around your walls and windows. Walk along the perimeter of your basement and investigate for any signs of moisture. If you see anything, investigate it further or call a professional.

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If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 8 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

Manage Your Own Sprinkler Systems

When you work with Charleston Homes, you have the option to get an in-ground sprinkler system installed by Turfbuilders. Turfbuilders offers each homeowner a free walkthrough, and they’ll also go over the control box and let you know how to adjust the sprinkler heads. This system is very easy to use. 

Each sprinkler system is controlled by the Rain Bird control box. When your sod is still new, it needs to be watered three times a day. All you have to do is go to “Start water times,” and the control box gives you the option to select different times. You can water up to six times a day or you can water once a day. 

When you are on a normal watering schedule, you should set the sprinklers to go off early in the morning. I recommend watering your lawn around 5 or 6am. You can even set watering station run times. Station one is in your front yard, and stations three and four typically cover the back yard. Your front and back yards should be watered for about 30 minutes. The second station is for your parkway, and the fifth station usually covers the side yard. You can water the parking and side yard for 20 minutes because they are smaller areas. 

You can also select which days of the week to water your yard. Again, new sod needs to be watered three times a day during the first week. During the second week, water twice a day. During the third week, go back to the three times a day schedule. After that, your sod should be established and you can switch to watering only three or four times a week.

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Water 3 times a day to 

establish your new sod.

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The Rain Bird control box makes scheduling easy. Simply hit the plus or minus button to turn the water on or off. A water droplet on the home screen will indicate whether or not the sprinklers are on. Once the program is set up the way you want it, you can test each station for a couple minutes to ensure that the sprinklers are working. If they are, go ahead and set the program to auto run. 

If you know the weather's getting colder or it’s going to rain, flip the switch to the off position so the sprinklers don’t run. 

Adjusting your sprinkler heads is simple as well. Turfbuilders provides a tool for you to use, but if you can find it, a thin flathead screwdriver will work just as well. You can make the sprinkler cover a wider area and also adjust the amount of water that comes out. Ideally, the stream coming out of the sprinklers should be a bit of a spray.

This is a great, easy-to-use sprinkler system. If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you.

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? 

If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 8 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

How to Maintain Your Home's Exterior This Spring

Spring is upon is here in Omaha, so today we’re going to talk about the upcoming weather conditions and how it relates to the exterior of your home. We are going to take a look at one of our model homes today and show you some things you can do to make sure your home is fresh and ready for the year ahead. 

One of the most important things to pay attention to is the caulking and sealing of your driveway. We use self-leveling caulk, which most hardware stores carry. To reseal your driveway, follow these steps:

1. Cut the caulking bag open.

2. Load it into a caulking gun.

3. Clean out all of your control joints

4. Slowly apply the caulk in 2-foot sections.

5. After applying, spread evenly by using your finger (make sure to have a rag handy).

Another important part of your home that may get overlooked are your downspout extensions. These extensions carry the rain and melted snow from your roof down away from the foundation. If they break off at the connection, they will drain right into your foundation and just recycle the water back into your sump pit. It’s important that your downspout flows away from your home.

There are a few things to keep an eye out for on the sides of your home’s exterior. On one side, you will have your A/C as well as a furnace exhaust pipe and a furnace intake pipe. For the exhaust, make sure the area where the tubes meet with the house is sealed and caulked tightly. For your air conditioner, give it a light spray from the hose to make sure there aren’t any cotton or dust particles in there. 

Settling is another thing that gets overlooked often. To remedy any uneven or low surfaces on the ground outside of your home, pull the sod up, add some dirt in underneath, and pull the sod back over. Any low-lying areas next to your home could be holding water that could ruin your foundation and cause your basement to flood. 

The home in the video above has vinyl siding, but a lot of our homes have either LP or Hardboard siding. Regardless of the type, there is going to be some caulking you will need to maintain periodically. 

It’s important to check all of these things periodically throughout the year to avoid costly repairs and maintain your home’s value. Watch the video to learn even more tips! If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? 

If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 8 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.