6 Tips To Prevent Water Damage In Your Home

Water damage is a main issue that can cause significant harm to the foundation of your home. Once water damage strikes the core foundation of your home, it can lead to severe structural damage; damp wood can easily attract termites and ants, and increase the formation of mold and mildew. Even a tiny amount of water can result in significant damage to your home. Once water seeps into the house via the roof, basement, a leaking pipe, or an old water heater, it can often lead to extensive water damage and mold formation.

Due to the potential consequences, it is vital to spot and repair risky areas of your home in order to prevent water damage; let’s check out several tips to protect your home from water damage.

1. Proactively Inspect For Leaks

It’s easy to overlook minor leaks, but these still have the potential to cause significant damage over time; a leaking tap can displace gallons of water. It’s best to inspect underneath sinks and around appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines for potential leaks, also check the ceilings for signs of a possible leaky roof, such as discoloration on the ceilings or walls. If you suspect you might have a leak, you can read more here to help fix and prevent a water damaged roof. Continuous leaks can allow mold and mildew to grow, wood to rot, and can even attract termites and ants. However, if you deal with a leak right away, it can prevent long-term damage.

Don’t forget to inspect the dark areas under your pipes within sink cabinets, toilets that rock, stains on ceilings, and spots with drips. It’s also important to check the roof at least once a year. It’s best to you fix any loose, missing, and damaged shingle, and make sure that you repair caulking that shows signs of cracks.

2. Know The Location Of The Water Shut-off Valves

In case a flooding emergency occurs, you should know the location of the water shut-off valves at your home, and make sure that all family members know this as well. If a significant leak or rupture occurs, it only takes a few minutes for severe damage to occur, it is essential to know how to turn off your water supply immediately.

Make it a priority to test all the valves every year to ensure that they are in good condition.

3. Install A Water Leak Detection Device

A detection device can switch off the water supply in case a leak occurs. In addition to being a good backup option if you’re not able to get to your water supply valves in time, it is extremely useful if you are going to leave your property for an extended period.

Pani003, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Ensure Good Drainage

When there is poor drainage, excess moisture can cause a weakening of the foundation, resulting in cracks, rutted settling, and grooved tracks which water can use to penetrate your home. To ensure your home has good drainage, try these tips:

• Clean the gutters, when you have a blocked gutter, it can direct a torrent of water down the side of your house, resulting in damage to the siding and foundation.
• Make sure the downspouts direct water 5 to 10 feet away from your home, to ensure the water doesn’t run back onto your foundation.
• Make sure your yard has sloping of at least 6 inches, over 10-feet away from the foundation of your house. The slope helps keep the water from seeping into your foundation, where it can cause lasting damage.

5. Repair The Caulking

One way to minimize or eliminate leaks around your windows and doors is to caulk any cracks. The indicative signs of water leakage include mold spots, crumbling drywall or plaster, bubbly paint, or termite activity.

U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist James E. Foehl/Released

During harsh weather with strong wind and gushing rain, water can easily seep into your home and damage the window frames and adjacent drywall, you should apply caulk on both sides of the window and seal any gaps. If possible, you should consider the installation of storm windows for an extra layer of protection. Sealing your windows and doors can not only prevent water from entering your home, it can boost your house’s overall electrical efficiency.

6. Test The Sump Pump Regularly

Sump pumps are used to remove water that has collected in the sump, often being very helpful during storms. Make it part of your routine to check your sump pump at least once a year, and perform several checks during heavy storm seasons.

Conclusion

As a house is a significant investment, it is vital to protect it at all costs, especially from water damage.

If you do not take the necessary precautions, there are various ways in which water can damage your home; luckily, with the help of these tips, you can keep your home free from water damage and in good condition for years to come.