Hello World! Welcome Friends! Homeowners face various problems ranging from pests, clutter, and plumbing. Among the different household concerns, water damage is one of the worst and costly. Whether the water damage is due to significant flooding after a storm or an overlooked plumbing problem, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to prevent one from becoming a full-blown problem.
Water damage originating from flooding and leaks can be expensive to manage, with the need for water damage restoration, clean-up, and repair. Although some homeowners have savings specially set aside for home maintenance and severe weather events, most aren’t ready for the costs brought about by the water damage.
If you want to avoid costly repairs and laborious clean-ups, you should monitor the indications of water damage around your home and perform tasks to protect against further damage.
What Are the Indications of Water Damage?
It’s crucial to remember that water can accumulate within the walls, below the roof, and in the basement, resulting in unappealing stains. However, some of the signs of water damage are not easy to pinpoint, especially if the pipes aren’t leaking or you haven’t experienced flooding before. Once you notice any of these signs or odor in your home, it’s time to take action to minimize water damage:
- Warping floor
- Sagging ceiling tiles or walls
- Peeling paint
- Stains or discoloration on the wall or floor
- Formation of mold spots on the floor or walls
- Musty odor around the house
- Pools of water in the yard after heavy rain or storms
Common Causes of Water Damage
Once you encounter pools or puddles of water in your house, you should immediately determine the source. Sadly, pinpointing the origin can be challenging. The water might be due to a severe weather event, a malfunctioning appliance, or anything in between. Although there are several possibilities, here are some of the common causes of water damage:
- Harsh weather conditions such as thunderstorms or flash floods
- Malfunctioning washing machine, refrigerator, or dishwasher
- Ruptured or burst pipe and leakage
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system problems
- Cracks in the foundation of your house
- Issues with the drainage
- Roof damage such as crack flashing or missing shingles
Depending on the cause of water damage in your home, taking the right action is necessary to prevent further damage. If you’re eager to restore the former glory of your house effectively, you should check out https://www.summitclean.com/water-damage-restoration-salem-oregon to learn more about ways to deal with water damage restoration and clean-up.
Methods to Keep Your Home Safe from Water Damage
If you want to protect your home from water damage and save on costly repairs and clean-ups, here are several ways to protect your home from it.
Test the Sump Pump
The sump pump serves as an essential line of defense when basement flooding occurs. As the sump pump works, it gathers the water in a basin and pumps it into a dry well or municipal storm drain.
As a crucial device in preventing flooding, you should regularly test the sump pump. Here are the steps on how to test the machine.
- Locate the outside pipe where the water exits your house. Eliminate any debris or dirt and clean thoroughly.
- Plug the sump pump into a functioning outlet.
- Get rid of any debris or dirt under the lid of the sump pump.
- Pour up to 5 gallons of water into the basin of the sump pump. Continue to pour steadily and evenly until the pump sump turns on.
Inspect the Pipes
Make it a priority to inspect the pipes at least once a year. For those who reside in areas with cold or wet climates, the task should be more frequent. It’s important to note that pipes will eventually decay and corrode after years of wear, ultimately resulting in water leaks in your home. In severe cases, the deteriorating or faulty pipes can cause flooding or the inundation of raw sewage. In addition, the water damage repairs you need to tackle can be expensive and time-consuming.
If you reside in a region with harsh winters, it’s best to install a pressure release valve. The device will come in handy in saving money, time, and effort for repairs and maintenance. It works by reducing the pressure on frozen pipes to avert a rupture and water damage.
Regular Inspection of the Roof
The roof is one of the essential elements in your home that provides protection all year round. Sadly, once the roof starts to deteriorate, it’s often overlooked until problems manifest. Regular inspection of the roof, especially before and after severe weather events, can prevent water damage.
Make sure that you’ll thoroughly inspect the roof. Check for any evident splits, cracked flashing, and missing shingles. If you lack the time or not confident in checking out your roof, you can schedule a routine inspection by a professional. This roofing professional will let you know if you already have water damage so you can call in water damage restoration in conroe, tx services (or services wherever you are based), so that you can get this seen to as quickly as possible.
Caulk and Seal the Windows
Water is likely to enter your home via leaks in the windows or doors. In such cases, it might be time to consider replacing them. If the windows or doors are still in good condition, you can reseal them with caulk to avert water damage. Additionally, you can also apply caulk around bathtubs, faucets, ceiling fixtures, and other potential water entry points.
Here is the process on how to apply caulk:
- Use a 100% silicon seal that can last for a long time. Choosing a silicon-based caulk has an advantage since it’s flexible, water-resistant, and crack-proof.
- Clean the site appropriately using a caulk-removal tool to remove any debris and old particles before applying the new layer.
- Introduce a tube of caulk into a caulking gun and seal the site. Make sure that you’ll squeeze evenly to have reasonable control.
- After the application of caulk, utilize a smoothing tool to distribute it around evenly.
Clean the Gutters
One of the ideal ways to prevent water damage in your home is to clean the gutters regularly. Always remember that poor drainage can lead to the weakening of your home’s foundation, resulting in cracks and allowing an entry point in which water can readily enter your basement and walls.
If you cannot recall your last cleaning job, it’s best to clean the gutters once you have the time. Make it a priority to clean the gutters at least two times a year. The task should be more frequent for those who reside in areas prone to storms.
Strong winds can pack the drains with debris such as branches and leaves. Immediate removal of the debris is crucial to prevent the gutters from sagging or overflowing. If left unchecked, your home will end up with an inefficient drainage system, and your walls are at risk for water damage.
Here are the steps on how to effectively clean the gutters:
- Begin cleaning an area near the downspout
- Remove debris such as twigs, branches, and leaves.
- Flush the gutters and downspout using a garden hose.
If you don’t have time to clean the gutters, consider installing gutter guards. When gutter guards are in place, any debris will only gather on top of the channels instead of building up in the drainage system.
Another option to consider is hiring a professional to handle the cleaning job to ensure that the gutters are thoroughly clean and free of debris.
Switch to New Hoses
Among washing machines, you should know that the hoses will not last for a long time. Once the hose starts to deteriorate, it becomes brittle, and leaks form, putting your home at risk for water damage. If your washing machine comes with the standard rubber hose, it’s best to replace it with a stainless-steel braided hose once it starts to wear out.
You can also invest in auto-shutoff hoses. When the hose sustains damage or malfunctions, a connector at the end of the hose will detect the water pressure change and stop the water flow right away.
Install Water Sensors
Today, with the help of smart technology, homeowners can prevent water damage in their homes. The installation of water sensors is a good investment in protecting your home. The device works by detecting water and triggers an alarm. The notification usually goes straight to your smartphone via an app. In case you sign up for professional alarm monitoring, the sensor will transmit a report to the company.
If you have a programmable water system, it instantly switches off the water to your home. Make the right choice by getting a water sensor since they can prevent water damage by triggering an alert for any potential small leaks before they get worse.
Conclusion
Water damage can be an expensive issue for many homeowners. If it’s your first to experience water damage in your home, you should get in touch with a professional when facing severe repairs, especially when it comes to HVAC system problems and foundation issues. Luckily, taking immediate action can remedy most of the evident signs of water damage.
The best way to protect your home and prevent water damage is to take on a proactive approach. Take time to learn about the typical indications of water damage along with the preventive measures to keep your home secure and in good condition for years to come.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
After The Move: Steps To Help You Settle
Factors that Affect the Cost of a House Clean
Unblocking a Drain: Is This a DIY Job?
The Benefits of Blinds in the Summer
Home Siding Installation Expectations
How To Prepare When Buying Your First Home
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