Preventing home water damage can feel time-consuming, but it definitely beats the alternative. Taking the right preventative measures can save you from the headache of a disastrous water loss. Though professional water damage crews have the tools needed to handle any water damage crisis, it’s always best to try to keep damages from occurring in the first place. Whether it’s residential or commercial property, there are many things you can do to help prevent disasters like flooding, frozen pipes, sewage backup, and broken pipes. Here are some quick tips to help you make sure water stays out of your house and how to spot it early on if it already has. Fix Faulty Plumbing While a bit obvious, this point is still important.
No matter how small a leak may seem it’s best to take care of it as soon as it’s noticed. A small leak is a sign of a growing problem that could turn into a full-fledged flood. Redirecting Rainwater Even though heavier rainfall doesn’t happen every day, it is important to be prepared just in case and know what to do if it does. Keeping rainwater from seeping into your basement takes a rainwater management system that works together. From clean gutters, properly directed downspouts, and a working sump pump, every part of the system needs to be checked regularly to ensure it’s working properly.
Be Aware of the Signs of Home Water Damage
A big way to prevent disastrous home water damage is to keep an eye out for the early signs of water entering your home. These include:
1. Paint Problems
If your paint begins to bubble, peel, chip, or show any evidence of discoloration, that’s one of the easier signs of water damage to identify. The same goes for loose or peeling wallpaper. This means that the adhesive quality of the paint or wallpaper is being worn down or diluted by water. Time to start looking for that leak.
2. Caulk Cracks
Whether in the bathroom or the kitchen, deteriorating caulk around the base of your sink faucet is another sneaky sign of water damage. You may not realize that your sink is leaking until you have a big, moist mess underneath your sink. Cracked caulk around your windows can also be an indication that your window frames and/or home siding aren’t as waterproof as they need to be. If either your windows or your walls are absorbing moisture, they can expand, creating significant problems as the problem worsens.
3. Damp Doors
If you’re noticing that your doors (or windows, for that matter) are becoming increasingly difficult to open or close, that could be a result of them taking on water like a sponge. Wood windows and doors are clearly the most susceptible to this sneaky sign of water damage.
4. Cracked Foundation
Many homeowners probably don’t give their foundation a second thought. Even if there is a big crack, most might just think, “Concrete is tough; I’m sure everything is fine”. If your foundation is cracked, everything is most definitely not fine. It’s the foundation of your home! Any amount of cracking should be a concern. A cracked foundation could be a result of water seeping in. This could likely be a result of improper drainage from gutters and downspouts, among other sources.
5. Funky Odors
Eventually, water damage will start to emit a musty, mildew smell. Additionally, mold spores may be causing congestion and trouble breathing. Listen to your nose if you suspect water damage – it’s always better to be safe with an inspection than sorry with a water damage headache. When a water damage disaster does occur, it is best to call in certified and insured professionals who can restore damaged property safely and completely.
Water Damage Prevention Checklist
A water-logged ceiling or flooded basement is not something you want to come home to. The staff at Lamunyon wants to help you prevent any water damage disaster that can occur during the summer months. To start protecting your home, you will want to start outside.
1. Outside Areas That Need to Be Checked
a) Gutters
You will want to check your gutters to make sure they are free of debris and any other blockage. A gutter’s sole purpose is to move water away from your home – without the ability to do so, water can overflow and make its way under your roofing and into your attic and ceilings. You do not want to wake up in the morning to the rhythmic sounds of dripping water.
b) Downspouts
Just like your gutters, your downspouts should be checked and cleared of debris. Downspouts need to extend away from your property to prevent water from pooling next to your property’s foundation. If water is allowed to pool next to the foundation, it can cause cracking and eventually make its way into your basement or crawl space.
c) Sprinklers
check your irrigation and sprinkler systems. Make sure your sprinklers are in working order and not spraying directly onto the exterior walls of your foundation. If you have sprinkler heads near your foundation make sure the sprinkler heads are not cracked or damaged – leaks from sprinkler heads can easily damage the foundation of your home. To ensure that your sprinkler or irrigation systems perform properly, blow out any water from water lines before shutting the systems off for the season.
d) Landscaping
When planting trees or shrubs, make sure you know where your water lines are. Tree and shrub roots can grow quickly, overwhelming your water lines and causing major damage. If possible, slope your lawn away from your foundation to help direct the flow of water away from your home. After you have checked and performed maintenance on the outside of your property, it is time to make your way inside. That’s right, don’t think that the elements outside are the only threat to your home. It is just as common for water damage to come from inside the home as it is from the outside.
2. Inside Areas That Need to Be Checked
a) Appliances
Inspect and maintain any appliances that are connected to a water line. Over time, seals and hoses can deteriorate and crack, causing a slow, undetectable leak. Even slow water leaks can cause massive amounts of water damage if left unchecked.
b) Washing Machine
Washing machines are among the top causes of water damage. If you have any brittle, bent, cracked, or leaky washing machine hoses, you should replace them immediately.
c) Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are another major culprit in water damage disasters. Air conditioning units should be regularly checked for any signs of freezing or leaks, especially during summer months when your unit is working nonstop.
d) Plumbing
Clogged sinks, tubs, or sinks are inevitable. Chances are that you have used powerful drain cleaners in the past to clear out clogged drains. However, as convenient as they are, drain cleaners are chalk full of chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode, making your plumbing system prone to leaks. Consider using a drain snake in place of harsh chemicals; they are relatively inexpensive and a great alternative solution. For complete flood damage restoration tips and services, contact certified professionals like Lamunyon.
Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair provides the highest quality water damage restoration work in Manhattan, Topeka, Salina, and around all of Northern-Central Kansas.
