The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Water damage is a common yet costly property damage your home will experience. It can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs, so it’s best to prepare for this destructive and money-spending event.
Causes of Water Damage in Your Home:
Severe Weather
Clogged Gutters
Leaking Pipes
Water Supply Leak on Washing Machines
Condensation on Air Conditioner Units
Leaks on Water Heaters
Blocked Toilets
Deformation of Pipes
Water Overflow
Within the list mentioned above, possible qualifying circumstances will change the nature of some of these causes and create more problems for you. Here are tips on what you need to prepare and do to prevent destructive water damage to your precious home:
1.) Check Your House for Leaks Frequently
An ocular inspection for leaks is the easiest yet most important thing to do in preventing water damage in your home. This activity is significant as there can be hidden and minor leaks that damage your household that only a thorough inspection can see. These hidden and minor leaks can bring great destruction to your if left unchecked and untreated over time.
What you need to inspect for leakages are the pipes, the ceiling, walls, floor, and appliances with water or use water.
2.) Inspect the Roof, Both Inside and Outside
Inspecting the outside of the roof is not enough, also check your house’s attic for any trails of water, as it might be subject to leakages through the roof, so check for damp spots and discoloration on plasters, as these are your identifiers if there are leakages.
On the outside of the roof, inspect the roof for visible damage marks and check for overgrown moss under the shingles; check every roof tile if you have to. If you have a chimney, ensure that the flashing surrounding it is intact, as water can also pass through it.
3.) Keep the Gutters Clear of Rubble
Leaves, moss, weeds, rocks, and even insects are the possible causes of blocked gutters, with moss and weed being the primary causes. Clogged drains make water leak through the wall’s foundation, damaging the wall itself and, eventually, the floor. You can consider roof gutters an external pipe system, so checking for leakages in the pipe that transports the water downward is very important.
Check and clean your gutters at least twice a year, as this is enough to maintain the gutter’s cleanliness by yourself or by a professional if you need more clarification on your skill in gutter cleaning. You should clear out the ice dams built up during winter and protect your gutters against ice dam build-up as it will result in water backing up and eventually leaking through the wall through your plaster access hatch and down to the floor.
A stopcock is the control tap for your house’s primary water source. Knowing the location is vital because in the event of a leaking wall, strong or not, it can take only minutes to escalate into a water damage disaster for your home. Leave a note or two on where the location is; also, add instructions if necessary.
5.) Inspect your Pump Sump
Check if the pump sump in your home works properly, as this contraption is vital in ensuring that your basement won’t flood in the event of heavy rain or severe pipe leakages. Ensure your pump sump is appropriately maintained and checked by a professional at least once a year.
6.) Prevent the Pipes from Freezing
Always check the pipes if there is signs of freezing, especially in winter. In problems like this, you should pour warm water to circulate through the pipes to prevent freezing pipe and damage afterward.
Use a smart thermostat to maintain a temperature of at least 10 or 9 degrees Celsius in your home. This device is beneficial if the family members often leave the house.
Here are the essential tools and materials you need if you want your house to be water damage-free:
Ladder
Shovel
Rake
Caulking gun
Latex or nitrile gloves
Hammer
Caulk
Downspout extensions
90-degree downspout elbows
Replacement shingles
Roofing nails
Sink P-traps
PEX pipes and fittings
Final Thoughts
Water damage is no joke. The costs of repairs have a very high range; they can go from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and that is only for property damage; the possible medical costs that might occur. Take water damage seriously, and take all measures to prevent this time and money-consuming event. If it’s too difficult for you, ask for a professional’s help, they will know what to do.
