Simple ways to protect your home from water damage or leakage

No one wants to get home and see the water flowing through its ceiling or collecting on the floor. Because of the enormous damage to buildings caused by a heavy storms, we are thinking about how to protect our home in similar cases. It is important to be prepared for water damage if you live in a floodplain or storm-prone area. However, most water damage is not actually associated with extreme weather conditions. More often there is damage from water from the home itself.

Non-weather-related water losses are the main source of material damage to homeowners, with plumbing systems being one of the main causes. This includes failures of plumbing such as inlet pipes, joints/valves and cracked pipes, as well as failures of devices such as icebreakers, dishwashers and water heaters.

Smart maintenance can prevent most water leaks that could cause catastrophic damage to your facility.

Check out the best preventive measures you can take to avoid costly repairs. Many of these measures are simple and affordable.

1.) Maintain your plumbing

As already mentioned, cracked pipes are one of the most common sources of water leakage. Clogging, corrosion of pipes, low temperatures and high water pressure can lead to a cracked pipe. If you notice any dramatic changes in water pressure or if you find serious clogging, call a specialist to fix the problem as soon as possible.

You can also prevent frozen pipes — and water damage — by insulating your pipes and  preventing it from dripping out of the taps when temperatures drop below freezing.

2.) Install water leak detection system

One of effective measures to prevent water damage is to install a flow-based water leak detection device that automatically closes the water supply when it detects a leak. This preventive solution can be useful for all homes, regardless of their size, age or occupancy status.

There are companies that make systems that inform you over the phone (via SMS or app) or warn you if water flows for an unusually long time. You can close the water through the application aswell. If there were to be water leaks, you would get the same warning and you could stop the water just as quickly.

3.) Inspect the roof for any damage

Although rain isn’t the main cause of water damage, it can still damage your home — if your roof is in some way compromised. Roof leaks can be caused by broken or missing shingles, damaged lining (waterproofing material used under shingles, around chimneys and water openings and where different parts of the roof come together) or a damaged plumbing opening.

We recommend that you do your roof inspection at least once a year to prevent damage from roof leaks.

4.) Clean the gutters regularly

While planning to inspect the roof, arrange gutter cleaning too. These two tasks go hand in hand. Gutters like copper not only protect your home’s roof from damage, but also reduce moisture around windows and divert water away from the foundation.

Most owners should clean the gutters at least twice a year. If your home is tightly surrounded by trees, you may need to clean the grooves more often so that there are no foliage and pine needles on them.

5.) Secure storm windows

If you have storm windows, make sure they are closed all the way down to prevent leakage. Even a small crack can let in enough water to damage the walls. Do you have old windows that don’t close completely? Ask the master to drill holes in the threshold so that moisture drains onto the exterior of your home, instead of dripping inside the walls.

6.) Maintain household appliances

Many household appliances use water, which means that there is always a possibility of leakage. Check from time to time to see if your washing machine, dishwasher and even ice maker are leaking, and replace the inlet pipes for these devices if necessary.

Also, placing a washing machine in some extra container with a raised edge can be a useful backup measure, especially if it’s on the top floor of your home.

7.) Service Ventilation System (HVAC)

You may not connect an air conditioner to water, but it actually creates it pretty much like condensation. If you have a ventilation device (or air conditioner) in the attic, you need to monitor it closely, as any overflow will leak directly into your living space.

Help maintain your ventilation systems (or air conditioner) by maintaining clean drip containers and ensuring drainage pipes are barrier-free and flow properly. Planning regular maintenance with a specialist can help prevent clogging that causes leaks.

8.) Consider drains

Think of drains as "partners" of your gutters. Instead of the roof line of your home, these gravel-picked ditches run along its foundations and help with drainage.

If you often notice the accumulation of water near your house, drains can help disperse and divert it. They can help control excess water even in an unfinished or partially finished basement; Often you will see them installed along the perimeter.

9.) Have a backup power supply for the collection pump

If you have a collection pump in the basement, it won’t work when electricity runs out – which often happens in cases of severe storms causing flooding. Therefore, it is always good to have a backup power source for the pump in case of failure.

Consider a whole-house generator that ensures that your collection pumps work even in the event of extreme rain.

10.) Know where the main water shut-off valve is

Everyone in your home should know where the main shut-off valve of your plumbing is. This will allow you to quickly close the relevant valves in case of a leak before calling the plumber to assess the situation. It can be located in your basement along the outer wall, usually the one closest to the street (where there is a municipal aqueduct).

It is also wise to look for special valves for appliances and fixtures, so you can turn them off if, for example, the toilet or washing machine starts to overflow.

11.) Close the water when you leave the site

If you plan to be out of town for weeks or only live seasonally in your home, consider turning off the water supply completely when the home is empty. This can reduce the risk of water damage when you are away. If you prefer to keep it turned on, consider hiring someone (relatives, friends, even people from the next door) to check your home from time to time so they can notice any problems that could cause harm.

Article source:
www.housebeautiful.com