How to Keep Your Property Safe from Water Damage
Water damage is among the most costly and common problems in maintaining a house. Additionally, your risk for water damage is the same all year round. What’s good is that you can protect your property from water damage by being proactive and providing regular upkeep.
Here are some tips to keep your property safe from water damage:
Know where your water main shutoff is.
This feature is considered by plumbing experts as the most important plumbing part of your home as it provides water to the whole property. Water gets inside your property through it, which is then distributed to other parts of the home.
If you have any plumbing problem in your property, it’s best to turn off the water main shutoff while repair is ongoing to help reduce damage. Also, it’s best to turn it off if you’re going away for a long time like on a vacation. This is the best way to ensure that you avoid faucet drips which can be damaging to your property if not given immediate attention.
Check and fix leaks immediately.
If you notice leaks anywhere in your property, act on them immediately. If you decide to ignore leaks and keep postponing repairs, expect to experience mildew, mold, and structural damage. While home insurance will cover damage brought by accidents, water damage due to lack of maintenance isn’t acceptable.
Watch out for damp spots, mildew, or dripping water. You can also try using land drainage pipe, which helps clear water away from areas that don’t have a drainage.
Regularly maintain appliances.
The most common cause of water damage is faulty appliances. Thus, it’s highly recommended to regularly check your appliances for leaks and to follow manufacturer’s instructions. Give special attention to your refrigerator and washing machine hoses. These hoses become brittle over time and will leak as a result, causing water loss. Appliance hoses are usually good for around five years. Older ones should be replaced.
Keep gutters and downspouts clean.
It’s best to give your gutters a good cleaning twice each year to prevent blockage and ice dams. Standing water can damage your roof, and gutters and this unmanaged overflow will generate puddles which could destroy your foundation. Clean downspouts to ensure that water can easily flow through and keep overflow away from your property.
Use water detection devices.
These devices sound an alarm when they detect moisture. These can detect small leaks or low moisture, which usually go unnoticed. These electronic devices are usually installed near sump pumps, water heaters, washing machines, bathrooms, and dishwashers to prevent mold growth and water damage.
Watch your water pressure.
A very high water pressure may force your hoses and pipes to burst, so it’s a good idea to keep your water pressure in check. You can use a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store and attach it to your faucet. You can then turn the faucet on to its full capacity so that you can check the water pressure using the gauge. If your home’s water pressure is higher than 100 psi, you may want to use a pressure regulator.
Final Thoughts
Preventing water damage can prevent many problems, including structural damage as well as mold growth and mildew formation which can trigger a host of health problems. Prevention of water damage in your property is easier if you maintain a constant eye on your appliances, gutters, downspouts, and water pressure for leaks. Installing land drainage pipes may also be beneficial if your ground tends to become waterlogged.
