Home maintenance & planning · Checklists and planning · Updated November 2026
Home Maintenance After Heavy Rain: What to Check
A quick walk-around after heavy rain shows you where water is going and catches small problems before they become expensive. Most checks can be done from the ground and inside the house.
If this is happening now
Stay out of flooded basements if water may be near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, and never walk through standing water near downed power lines. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or your gas utility.
Inside
- Ceilings and walls for new stains, especially under the roof and around windows (ceiling water stains).
- The basement floor and walls for water (water after rain).
- The sump pump: is it running and discharging properly? (sump pump runs constantly)
- The attic, if safely accessible, for damp insulation or drips.
- Musty smells that suggest crawl space moisture (crawl space moisture).
Outside
- Gutters and downspouts: overflowing, sagging or disconnected (why gutters overflow).
- Where downspouts drain, and whether water pooled against the foundation.
- Missing shingles or debris on the roof, seen from the ground (missing shingles).
- Washed-out soil, new low spots or erosion near the house.
- Fallen branches and leaning trees (tree removal cost).
Document and follow up
Take dated photos of any damage. If you plan to file an insurance claim, contact your insurer before major repairs and keep receipts for emergency work. For recurring water problems, see foundation drainage: who to call.