Water damage may occur when you least expect it to happen. It may be because of roof leaks, leaks in the pipes or leaks from the bathroom or kitchen sink. These are just some of the reasons why leaks occur thus resulting in water damage. The good thing is that there are important things that homeowners can do to minimize or even stop water from damaging your home.
The steps in preventing water damage at home are:
Check your roof from time to time and make sure that it’s still in good condition. Deteriorated roofs because of hail or wind damage can cause water damage in the long run. Improper roof installation, air conditioners, evaporators, condensers and vents may lead to water damage due to roof leaks
Check the gutters regularly to make sure that the gutters are free from clutter that may hinder its working condition.
Make sure that the irrigation system you have is working properly. If there is an external leak, it will lead to wastage of water of more than one hundred gallons per day.
Check your windows for water damage signs. Water always stains around the windows if there are leaks. Water from outside the window that may penetrate in can lead to water damage in the long run. You need to make sure that all the windows are properly sealed along with the doors as well. If there is any sign of water damage, you should replace that part right away to keep the area dry and to prevent further damage. Repairing and replacing the waterproofing around the doors, roofs and windows can be of help and you can do that during summer time or as long as the weather is dry. Checking the sidings and changing the missing or damaged parts can be of help in the long run.
Checking all your appliances and making sure that they are all in good working condition helps to prevent future water damage. Dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines may all contribute to water damage later on. You can check them from time to time just to make sure that they are all in good running condition. You need to make sure as well that the water lines and the ice makers are properly maintained. Checking and spotting the problem right away can help in preventing water damage later.
Change the supply hoses of the clothes washer; you can use a metal braided type for longer life.
You can also check if there is any interior structural problem like spongy beams, rafters and others. These may warn you about problems that may lead to emergency water damage in the long run. Noticing the problem early on can help in saving lots of money in restoring and repairing things that were damaged by water.
These are just some of the simplest things you can do to prevent water from damaging your home and your investments as well.
