Some helpful tips to avoid water damage in your home
9/21/2021 (Permalink)
It is probably no surprise that water damage is one of the most common, not to mention costly claims that insurance companies receive. That is because water damage can be a year round risk. With that being said there are steps you can take to make sure you are doing everything you can to prevent unnecessary mishaps and or incidents from taking place. We realize that not all water damage incidents can be completely avoided but we certainly can do our part to minimize those incidents.
Let’s start with the outside; make sure you are disconnecting your hoses in preparation for winter. This should be a part of your Fall to-do list. If you leave your hoses attached, standing water can freeze in the hose and back into your pipes. If you are lucky it will only block water flow, the worst case however is that it causes pipes to burst creating damage to walls, floors and your foundation. So disconnect those hoses!
Cleaning out your gutters and downspouts is another great way to prevent water damage. This should really be done twice a year. If you are not properly cleaning them out, you are left with standing water in your gutters. This can cause damage to your roof and gutters. And when the water has nowhere to go and it can back up under your shingles. So don’t neglect your gutters!
Inside your home it is important to know where your water main is. Plumbing experts say that knowing where the main water shut off is key to preventing a major water loss.It supplies water to the entire home so in the event of a potential water issue, you are prepared. Another helpful tip is knowing how to maintain your appliances. Appliances are one of the top causes of water damage in a home. Maintaining them can make all the difference. It’s also good to check the water lines for any leaks. If you do find evidence of a leak anywhere in your home, it is highly recommended to investigate it immediately and take the necessary corrective steps to get it fixed! Ignoring leaks of any kind from anywhere in your home is never a good idea. It can lead to unnecessary damage, mold, dry rot and structure damage.
For more helpful tips, or if you have any questions please call us at (616) 647-4300