Shoemaker’s Kid

It’s a welcome sound. The fresh rain coming down when it’s been so dry and moisture is desperately needed- you can almost hear the ground soaking it up. I’m reminded of a rainstorm during a similarly dry summer a few years back, when Wes and I learned an important lesson about inspecting a property when the rain is coming down. 

At the time we’d planned to camp for the weekend, as is the tradition for May long. We’d added a new-to-us motorhome to our family and we were rearing to go! Unfortunately, our home on wheels wasn’t quite ready for the trip, and since Wes had to rebuild the generator and work on the finicky fridge, we had decided to stay home. Really… the rain in the forecast had nothing to do with it. 

So there we were, with time on our hands enjoying a nice relaxing Sunday morning. Over breakfast Wes and I talked about the downpour and he remarked on how important it is to take a walk around your property when it’s raining. “I try to mention it to all my clients,” he said. 

I laughed and noted that we hadn’t done that at our own house, or even checked our pump for that matter! Then I made an unwelcome joke about how the shoemaker’s children always go shoeless. 

The next thing I know my boots were on and we were headed outside. 

It was a good thing too. First, we found water backing up into the drain that runs under our concrete pad. Not great for soil erosion, so we quickly dug a trench to relieve that. 

Next, and possibly the most embarrassing considering what we do for a living, were the plugged downspouts. They were so plugged it was causing the water to spill out right next to the foundation, and a huge puddle had formed. We cleared them out to get the water flowing away from the foundation, and we were on our way. 

We then checked the sump pump discharge hose, making sure it was directed away from the foundation and unclogged. All good there, so I guess we were one for three! 

So on that rainy Sunday morning, the shoemaker’s kid got a fresh pair of sneakers. Or in our case, the waterproofer’s house was inspected for sources of water. 

The moral of the story…when it’s pouring rain and you’re cuddled on the couch or enjoying a relaxing breakfast, the best thing you can do for your home and property is to get up, don some boots, and take a walk in the rain. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!