Preventing Home Water Damage

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Funky Odors Eventually, water damage will start to emit a musty, mildewy 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. Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair provides the highest quality water damage restoration work in Manhattan, Topeka, Salina, and around all of Northern-Central Kansas.