Last fall, I noticed some water seeping into the sill plate of my house, which is several feet above the ground. I think the water is running down the outside of the house and finding its way in at the sill plate. I'm planning to seal the interior gaps with spray foam, but I'm wondering what the best approach would be for the exterior. A professional mentioned that installing bigger gutters could help as well, but I'm not entirely convinced. Any advice?
3 Answers
I suggest having another pro take a look at your roof and gutters. Make sure they're pitched correctly and clear of debris—things like leaves or shingle granules can block proper drainage. Also, check that the edge of the roof isn't allowing water to run behind the gutters. These steps can often prevent leaks. You can do a bit of testing yourself by using a hose on the roof to see how the water flows.
Definitely find out where the leak is before sealing anything up. If it's a drywall wall, you might need to remove some of that to pinpoint the leak. If it’s a foundation issue, you should check the other side and dig a bit to see how water is getting in. Trust me, sealing it up without addressing the root cause can lead to more headaches later. No foam unless it's part of a solid repair plan!
First up, you need to really locate where the water is coming from. Trace the wet area upwards to find the source. Sometimes leaks can show up far from where the water actually enters. I once faced a similar issue with a roof leak that appeared in a completely different spot than expected. Also, if you're spraying foam in there, just keep in mind that it might trap water inside the wall, which could lead to worse problems down the line. Best to figure out the leak first!