Protecting your home from water damage is one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner. From cleaning your gutters to inspecting your roof, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your property isn’t affected by water ingress. This article will provide eight tips to help you safeguard your biggest investment – your home.
Understanding Water Damage
Before we offer insight into how you can prevent water damage to your home, let’s first talk about what this phenomenon is and why you need to safeguard your home against it.
The reality is that your home is not immune to the elements. Periods of heavy rain can cause water to seep through your roof or foundation. Wood studs, beams, plasterboards, interior fixtures, and other underlying components are all susceptible to damage when exposed to moisture.
To make matters worse, water ingress often leads to the growth of mold and mildew, which significantly reduces the quality of the air in your home. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to prevent water damage.
Actions You Can Take to Prevent Water Damage
Without further ado, let’s get into the steps that you can take to protect your home.
1. Clean Your Gutters
This one might seem unnecessary, but it can be an important action to ensure that water does not seep into crucial parts of your home. Your gutter system is designed to move rainwater away from your foundation and channel it into areas where it will be less destructive.
It collects water that falls off your roof and moves it away from your house, ensuring that it does not cause water damage in your basement, crawlspace, or concrete foundation.
However, over time, leaves, dirt, and debris can build up in your gutters, affecting their effectiveness. To ensure that this crucial water management system is functioning at peak performance, you will need to ensure that it is kept clean.
If you have many trees in your yard or notice that your gutters are constantly clogged, consider using gutter guards.
2. Install a Water Leak Detection Device
Do you tend to leave your home vacant for extended periods? If that’s the case, then you should think about installing a water leak detection device. This apparatus is relatively inexpensive but can be crucial in preventing a pipe leak from wreaking havoc on your home.
The reality is that it takes a few minutes for a water leak to escalate and cause serious damage to various structures in the home, so having a device that can turn off the water supply when a leak is detected can be paramount to protecting a building against water damage.
3. Disconnect Hoses in Cold Weather
If your home is in an area where there is snow at certain times of the year, then it’s important that you check your faucets when temperatures start to drop. That’s because water inside the hose can freeze quite quickly and cause the hose to burst. It could also halt the flow of water.
Don’t forget that this does not only apply to exterior hoses. You should also follow this advice for pipes attached to dishwashers, washing machines, and other indoor appliances.
4. Get Your Roof Inspected Regularly
Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting you from the elements. However, if there are missing shingles, loose mortar, or cracked bricks, this could cause a weak spot in your protective barrier.
When you get your roof inspected on a regular basis, you can identify potential problems and address them quickly to prevent moisture from seeping in through the roof and damaging underlying structures.
5. Invest in a Cover for Your Chimney
The chimney is another place where water damage can occur. After a heavy storm, moisture can seep into the bricks and mortar, causing the structure to collapse. This is why it’s important to inspect your chimney for damage after storms or periods of heavy rainfall.
You can also purchase a cover or crown that is designed to redirect water and prevent it from entering the chimney.
6. Look for Leaks and Signs of Water Ingress
Identifying leaks and minor water damage early can be crucial in preventing catastrophic results. Knowing what to look for can be the key to early detection. Here are some tell-tale signs that you might have a problem:
- Mold and mildew formation
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Higher utility bills
- Musty smells
- The sound of running or dripping water
- Damaged or warped flooring
- Softened drywall
We recommend actively checking for these signs regularly, especially after a storm, to ensure that leaks are caught early and addressed before they have had a chance to cause any more damage.
7. Make Sure That Your Sump Pump Works
Your sump pump is another important device that is designed to keep water out of your basement or crawlspace. However, when it stops working, moisture can accumulate, causing damage to surrounding structures.
Make sure that your sump pump is well-maintained to keep it working at its best. We recommend having it serviced at least once a year.
8. Keep an Eye on the Water Pressure
When the water pressure is too high, it can cause your pipes to burst, causing a leak and subsequent damage. To prevent this, it’s important to keep track of the water pressure and ensure that it is in an acceptable range.
You can purchase a pressure gauge to monitor the pressure in your pipes, and when you notice that the readings are high, use a regulator, which is essentially a valve that lowers the water pressure from the main.
Have You Noticed Water Damage in Your Home? Fine Restoration Can Help!
The reality is that water damage can occur, even if you take the necessary precautions. No home is immune to the harsh effects of a storm, so when you notice water ingress, you can turn to our team for expert advice and guidance.
Whether you require assistance with residential or commercial restoration, we are confident that we can help you reach your goals.
To learn more about our services, contact Fine Restoration today!
