How To Prevent Water Damage In Your Home?

What Is Water Damage?

Water damage is the loss of property or material by the intrusion of water. Water damage can result in rotten wood, mold attack, corrosion of metal or steel, delamination of processed wood such as plywood or plyboard. Severe water damage might also cause flooding. Water damage is supposedly the most common yet costly damage for a property.

How Does Water Damage Take Place?

The causes of water damages are diverse; it can be a deadly hurricane or it can be a small leak in your pipe. However, the consequences of water damage can be disastrous even if it is coming from a small leak. Sources such as an overflowing washing machine, a dishwasher leakage, groundwater seepage, leaky pipes, a leaking roof, a clogged toilet, and even clogged drains can cause water damage in your house. These sources can trigger immediate water damage or slow but long-lasting damage to your property.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home

90% of water damage that occurs in the home is preventable. Preventing water damage is better than repairing the damage caused by it. If a source of potential water damage is spotted early on, measures can be taken to prevent it. Here are some effective ways that you can save your home from potential water damage.

Regularly Check All the Hoses And Appliances Of Your Home

Leaky pipes or faulty appliances are the most common causes of residential water damage. As a homeowner, you should regularly check all the faucets and hoses of your home for leaks and dripping water. Also, keep an eye out for any suspicious puddle of water in an unlikely place. Checking appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, lavatories for any damage can also be a good preventive measure to take.

Locate the Position of Water Control

Knowing the location of the main water supply switch is as important as to know where the circuit breaker is at your home. You along with all your family members should know where the stopcock for water is located in the house. This knowledge will come in handy in case of a sudden pipe burst. If you can take prompt action to stop the water supply in your home, you can prevent larger damage.

Check for Cracks in Caulking

Regularly check for cracks in the caulking of showers, bathtub, or the exterior of your home. This caulking insulates the water, preventing intrusion of water in an unwanted area. If you find the caulking is missing or cracked, take immediate measures to fix it. You can fix the caulking by yourself and make your house watertight in no time.

Check the Roof for Leaks

Leaks in the roof are easily detectable. Check if there are any leaks in the roofing that can cause water to seep through. You should not ignore a roof leak for very long, as it might damage the entire roof. If you happen to have a chimney at your home make sure the connection between the roof and the chimney is waterproof.

Check the Effectiveness of Your Sump Pump

A sump pump expels excess water from your basement. In case of a flood due to rainwater, your sump pump should be able to carry the flood water out of your home. Make sure the sump pump works properly, in case any emergency water discharge is required.

Be Aware of the Dangers of Pipe Freezing

If you are living in a cold climate, you must know the hazard that a frozen pipe can present. When the water in a pipe freezes due to cold, it expands in volume, causing the pipe to burst open. To avoid any incident of a pipe bursting because of freeze, you should make sure the water inside the pipe maintains a temperature of at least 10° C; if you are away from home make sure the water supply is closed and there is no water remaining in the pipe that might freeze.

Keep an Eye Out For Mold

Mold is the sure-fire sign of water damage on a surface. If you find mold growing in any part of your home, check for any water source nearby that is facilitating the mold growth. After you have identified the water source, insulate it, and clear out the moldy surface. control your interior moisture level to prevent further mold growth.

Repairing Water Damage

In case you notice any water damage in your home, take immediate action to stop it. For repair and restoration, dry the place and remove all the moisture from there. If you notice any type of mold contamination, remove all kinds of porous surfaces or materials that are located nearby. To prevent future water damage, check and insulate all the water pipes and connections.

In conclusion, water damage in your home can be a threat to your property and health. Preventing water damage early on is the most effective way to avoid it. According to experts, you should repair or replace the worn-out pipe that carries water at least once a year. Regular inspection of all water pipes and connections can save you all the cost and hassle of a repair or restoration.