How To Protect Your Home From Water Damage? | Water Damage Prevention

May 24, 2022

Water damage is one of the most stressful situations for homeowners. It’s a dark, creeping condition that many people don’t realize they have until it’s too late. At its worst, moisture has the potential to cause structural damage to your house that is beyond repair, including mildew, wood rot, and foundation fractures.

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch it early enough to prevent it from spreading. However, even minor breaches that allow rainwater inside the house might necessitate extensive repairs to keep moisture out.

Here are some things you can do to protect water from getting into your house from the outside and protect yourself from Plumbing Emergencies.

1- Clean Gutters and Downspout

Have you ever had a water pipe burst in your home, causing havoc? Cleaning the gutters at least twice a year, in late fall or early winter and early spring will assist to avoid this. Things like leaves, dirt, trash, and sticks can fall into your gutters when Mother Nature does her thing, resulting in blocked gutters.

Clogged gutters can lead to a build-up of water that seeps into the siding through cracks and fissures. If the trickle continues, the water will accumulate over time, with significant consequences.

Downspouts that guide water away from the home are less likely to cause harm. Cleaning your gutters and downspouts every 6 months in the late autumn or winter and the spring is recommended by a water damage restoration company.

2- Disconnect the Hoses

Disconnecting your hoses from the faucet should be on your autumn to-do list. Standing water in a hose can freeze back into the pipe, forming an ice block that can halt your water flow in the best-case scenario and may rupture your pipes, causing damage to your walls, floor, and foundation in the worst-case scenario.

3- Inspect the Roof

If your home does not have a weather-tight roof, it will almost likely suffer water damage. Roof systems can leak in a variety of ways, even if they do not collapse catastrophically. Set a ladder against your house and walk the roof before bad weather arrives, examining and fixing any shingles that may allow water to enter the house.

Look for overgrown moss that can make its way beneath the shingles, as well as any tree limb damage. Hire a specialist for water damage restoration services, if needed.

4- Failures of the Plumbing Drain System

When your local storm water system is connected to your home’s sewage system, drain system breakdowns are more likely. Install a backflow prevention component in your drain system to avoid complications. Also, instead of dumping oil down the drain, allow it to cool before bagging and discarding it.

While grease disposal is a no-brainer, installing a backflow prevention system requires professional assistance.

5- Fill in Your Foundation’s Gaps

Although cracks may appear little, they can allow a significant quantity of water to enter your property. Fill these breaches in the foundation, walls, windows, and entrances with coatings and sealants to prevent floodwater from leaking into your property.

The sooner these fissures are discovered, the sooner harm is identified and mitigated. If the water leak continues, it’s time to look for a more permanent remedy. These coatings will only assist for a limited time.

6- Basement Water Seepage Should Be Avoided

Cracks in building foundations or floor slabs are common causes of water in basements. It’s possible that your once-waterproof cement flooring and basement walls have deteriorated if you detect water seepage after heavy rain when you’ve never had an issue before. Water sealant can be used to prevent seepage in sensitive places.

Ensure that water drains away from the structure. Soil that has settled in such a way that water flows towards the structure exacerbates seepage. Rainwater that flows towards the structure after a storm, especially if the earth is already wet, runs down the exterior of the foundation wall, perhaps through any gaps.

Backwater valves should be installed. Sewer backups, while less prevalent than other sources of basement flooding, are inconvenient. Install and maintain a backwater valve, which enables sewage to flow out but not back in.

7- Your Windows Should Be Caulked and Sealed

If your water leaks are coming from your windows or doors, it may be time to replace them. If your windows are in pretty excellent condition, resealing them with caulk will help prevent further water damage.

To prevent additional water leaks in your house, put caulk around faucets, baths, ceiling fixtures, and other plumbing fixtures.

8- Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Even if you expect to be gone, use a smart thermostat to keep your house at a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. To avoid freezing damage, warm water must be allowed to flow through the pipes.

If a home will be vacant for an extended length of time, switch off the water supply at the stopcock and consider emptying the system to ensure no water remains in the pipes or seek assistance from a water damage restoration company.

9- Consider Investing in A Water Flow Measurement System

Your entire house is protected by a water flow monitoring system that is connected to your water main. The technology works by detecting the amount of water that enters your home. It instantly stops the flow of water into your house if it detects continuous water flow beyond the typical stopping and starting of your everyday appliances.

10- Keep Appliances in Good Working Condition

The most prevalent source of water damage in the house is appliances. Regularly inspect and maintain your appliances for leaks according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pay close attention to the condition of your washing machine and refrigerator hoses.

When they get old and fragile, they frequently leak and are one of the most common sources of water loss in homes. A hose’s life expectancy is usually around five years. Replace yours regularly to avoid a huge mess and costly harm.

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