It’s easy to take your home’s plumbing system for granted until you notice water damage that wasn’t there the day before. Suddenly, you have to worry about mold growth and structural integrity, two things that aren’t going to improve your quality of life as you work to repair any damage caused by the flood. There are many reasons why your home may experience water damage. It could be that the roof has been leaking for months, or that you’ve just taken out the trash and there was an overflowing pipe in the kitchen.
Water damage can happen quickly and unexpectedly – but there are many things you can do to prevent it from happening at all! We put together this list of seven tips to help you avoid residential water damage before it happens to you.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Before you start any kind of home improvement project, it’s important to measure twice and cut once. The same goes for avoiding water damage in your home. By taking a few preventative measures, you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headache down the road. First, make sure that your sump pump is functioning properly. You should also have an emergency contact list handy with someone responsible for coming by to take care of the problem if it happens while you are away from home.
Understand What Causes Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common types of home insurance claims. And, according to the Insurance Information Institute, the average water damage claim is nearly $10,000. However, there are ways to prevent this from happening. Some homeowners choose to purchase a standard policy that covers up to $250,000 in damages; others go with a rider or an endorsement for higher amounts.
If you do decide to go with coverage that includes water damage, make sure it includes sewer backup coverage. The best way to avoid high-cost repairs is by making sure your pipes are properly maintained and inspected annually.
Clean Up Any Messes That Can Leak
Water damage in the home is often caused by leaky pipes or appliances. To avoid this, make sure to regularly check your pipes and appliances for any leaks. If you do find a leak, be sure to clean it up immediately and fix the problem to prevent further damage.
You should also be sure to regularly clean any areas in your home that are prone to floodings, such as the basement or laundry room. By taking these precautions, you can help avoid costly water damage repairs in the future.
Remove Puddles in Hard-to-Reach Places
Whether it’s from a storm or a faulty appliance, water damage in your home can be a nightmare. To prevent water damage, it’s important to remove any standing water in your home as soon as possible. Use towels and buckets to clean up small spills; larger spills may require professional help.
The next time you find yourself dealing with this type of disaster, here are some helpful tips:
– Be careful not to electrocute yourself by touching an electric object while standing in water
– Call the fire department if you suspect electrical components have been damaged by the flooding
– If you have carpets that have been soaked, you should get them professionally cleaned before they dry out
Choose Materials Wisely
Water damage is one of the most common and costly problems facing homeowners. One way to help avoid water damage is to choose materials wisely. For example, it’s best to use a material that doesn’t hold moisture wells such as vinyl or sealed hardwood floors in rooms where water might be present. It’s also a good idea to seal grout lines and cracks in your home if they have been exposed to moisture because these areas are more likely to experience future issues with mold growth.
Know How to Stop a Slow Leak
A slow leak can often go undetected for weeks or even months, slowly causing water damage to your home. To avoid a costly repair bill, it’s important to know how to stop a slow leak before it does serious damage.
1) Check all faucets, pipes, and hoses in the house once a month to make sure they are tightly closed and working properly.
2) Place buckets under areas where you know there is a slow leak like toilets and faucets that are not used regularly.
3) Make sure all windows have tight-fitting screens and doors are in good condition with no holes that could allow water to seep through them.
Recognize Signs of Dry Rot
Dry rot is a serious problem that can cause extensive damage to your home. Recognizing the signs of dry rot is the first step in preventing it. Most people do not know they have dry rot until they notice significant water damage on their ceilings or mold growing inside their walls. The telltale sign of dry rot is rotten wood, which often has blackened and crumbly patches, although this may not always be present. It is important to check if you see anything unusual, such as spongy wood or loose nails, as these are also indicators of the presence of dry rot.
