Water damage is one of the most common issues for property owners. It is always the most common (and costly) reason why your house can devalue, require expensive repairs or even become hazardous for you and everyone who steps inside.
Water damage can come from within and outside of the house.
The most common reasons for this issue are:
- floods;
- faulty drainage;
- clogged toilet or sewer system;
- broken water heater;
- leaky faucets, etc.
This article shall provide essential tips for every homeowner that will help avoid water damage to your property, no matter whether you live in a private house or an apartment, in a dry or flood-prone area.
1 - Check sinks and drains regularly and don't ignore leaks
Every time you clean a kitchen or bathroom sink or any drain hole, make sure to take a closer look and inspect them thoroughly. Any physical damage and grease, hair and dirt built-up can become a reso why they can start leaking and cause severe water damage.
The most convenient and easy way to clean your sinks and drains is using modern chemical products. However, you should be very careful with them. Some of those chemicals are pretty strong and can damage your drains and pipes severely if they are old or made out of plastic.
Cleaning your drainage with a drain snake at least once a month is a perfect, efficient and safe solution. It does not need any special skills and works perfectly.
2 - Keep an eye on home appliances
certain home appliances are often the source of water damage in your house:
- Fridge - ice maker or cold beverage dispenser inside your fridge can become a reason for water damage on the floor or walls. Those systems have rubber or silicone pipes that can crack with time or due to mechanic damage. Make sure to check them once in a while and replace them as soon as you see signs of wear and tear;
- Water heater - the most common reason for water damage and mould development in the basement or attack. Check your water heater for leaks, ruck stains or water pooling;
- AC Units often cause water damage to outside walls that can grow deep inside the building's structure if no one takes care of it on time. The problem mainly occurs during hot summer months when the AC system works overtime.
3 - Shut off the water if you leave the house for more than a day
Most water damage happens during holidays and vacation seasons when people leave their homes for several days or even weeks. Even the slightest leak that is not being fixed for a couple of days can lead to massive water damage and a costly repair.
If you are going for a family reunion, a business trip, or a getaway for more than 24 hours, make sure to shut the water off.
4 - Invest in water detectors
Just like a smoke or fire detector, this tiny device will let you know immediately about a leak or flooding in the house, even if you are away at the moment.
Modern water and flood detectors incorporate into a smart home ecosystem, connect with your smartphone and send push notifications as soon as the problem occurs.
5 - Check the windows
Heavy rainfall and strong winds can quickly get into your house and cause severe water damage if the windows are not appropriately secured, their frames have cracks, or the glass does not sit tight in the frame.
It is essential to check your windows thoroughly twice a year - in the autumn before the massive rainfall and storms start and in the spring before the snowmelt. For the same reason, try to avoid snow and ice built up on your windows and frames during winter.
6 - Follow your water bills carefully
Do you know exactly how much water does your household use every month? Many people pay their bills without even paying attention to the numbers. However, they can indicate that you may have a significant leak in the system before the water damage becomes visible.
Go through your water bills carefully. Once you notice that water consumption started to rise sharply or gradually, you may have a leak. Invite a qualified plumber who will check the system, find and eliminate the problem before it turns into massive water damage.
7 - Outdoor maintenance
Taking care of your outdoors will help you prevent indoor water damage. Ensure to clear leaves and debris built up around the house and remove snow at least 6 feet away from the building's walls. It will help to prevent water accumulation and flooding of your property.
If possible, minimise pavement or any other hard surfacing on your property. It prevents water from soaking into the soil and also lead to flooding and water damage.
8 - Clear gutters and drainage
Clogged gutters are the most common reason for water damage to walls and roofs. Poor drainage is another reason why water gets stuck around your property and cause severe damage. Water will always find a way out. It can even go directly through the walls of your house if you give it enough time and neglect the problem long enough.
9 - Smell the air
Except for being visible, water built up and mould development often has distinctive smells that may indicate the problem even before it becomes costly. Don't neglect the "normal" basement smell or stale, stuffy air in the attack, garage or one of the rooms. They may indicate that water damage caused by a small leak is already developing into something serious and even dangerous.
10 - Invest in anti-flooding solutions
As we have already mentioned, water damage can come from within and outside of your house. Floods are the most common reason for severe and sometimes even irreversible water damage.
When the flood strikes, keeping water away from your house is the only way to minimise or avoid the consequences of this most common natural disaster.
Investing in flood barriers, you will manage to protect your house, basement, garage or any other piece of property from floodwater and the inevitable water damage it brings. A flood barrier is easy to install and remove; it does not require any special skills or equipment and does need much storage space.
It is a reliable and sustainable multi-use anti-flooding solution that will protect you and your house from floods for many years.
Contact Dam Easy today and learn about our flood barriers and other solutions that will help you prevent water damage and save you a great deal of energy, time and money, preserving your property's value.
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