11 Aug 9 Critical Tips To Try and Avoid Water Damage to Your Home
There are many ways to avoid costly water loss and claims. Here are nine simple tips to keep your home safe, well-maintained, and reduce the risk of water damage.
Outside the home
Let’s start with the exterior of your home. Regular maintenance of key areas can help prevent water from getting inside your home.
Disconnect the hoses
It should be on your fall list to disconnect your hoses from your faucet. Standing water can cause a blockage in the pipes, which could lead to a stoppage in your water flow.
Clean gutters, downspouts
To avoid ice dams and blockages, make sure to clean your gutters at the very least twice per year. Standing water can damage your roof and gutters, and unmanaged overflow could cause puddles that may damage your foundation.
Make sure to clean downspouts in order to allow water to flow. Also, make sure to secure downspouts away from your home.
Trees and vegetation should be maintained
Though thriving shrubs are beautiful, their roots can cause damage to your pipes. It is important to reduce landscaping around utility pipes and, if necessary remove any trees or shrubs that are too large.
Many online resources offer tips for sewer-safe landscaping.
The inside of the home
Once you have a good handle on the water outside of your home, let us now look at ways to minimize water damage inside.
Know your water main
According to plumbing experts, the water main shutoff is perhaps the most important plumbing fixture in the house. Your water main supplies water to your entire house. The water main is the entry point to your home and then it is distributed to other pipes.
Know where your water main shutoff is located
Knowing the location of your water main shutoff will help you turn off your water immediately if there is a plumbing emergency in your home.
If you are away from your home for a prolonged period of time, we recommend that your water main is turned off. There is a good chance that no water enters your home.
Keep appliances clean
In-home water damage is most often caused by appliances. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to inspect and maintain your appliances for leaks.
It is important to pay attention to the condition of your refrigerator and washing machine hoses. These are the most common causes of water loss in homes and can become brittle and old.
The average life expectancy for a hose is five years. To avoid costly damage and a mess, replace your hose regularly.
Leakages should be investigated immediately and fixed
You should immediately investigate any evidence of a water leak in your home. You can experience mold, mildew and dry rot if you ignore moisture damage, delay making repairs, or worse, even structural damage to the home.
Remember that homeowners insurance covers accidental and sudden damage. A standard homeowners policy does not cover damage that is caused by neglect.
Install water detection devices
A water detector is an electronic device that sounds an alarm whenever it comes in contact with moisture. It detects moisture levels that are low or slow, which is often overlooked.
It should be installed near water heaters, sump pump, washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets to avoid mold growth and extensive damage.
Make sure you have the right water pressure
Pipes and hoses can fail if the water pressure is too high. A water pressure gauge can be purchased at your local hardware store. Attach it to an exterior faucet and turn on the faucet. You will get a reading on your home’s water pressure.
The typical residential water system is designed to handle water pressures between 40 and 70 psi. Install a pressure regulator if your home’s water pressure is greater than 100 psi. These are also available at hardware stores.
Check your water bill
Sometimes, the only way to find out if water is leaking in your home is to look at your water bill. Put on your water detective hat if your water usage increases significantly in a given month. Is there a leaky pipe in your crawlspace or basement? Is it a leak in your crawlspace? Do not ignore mystery leaks!