Water is an essential resource to human life. However, to a house, water can be destructive. In general, water is supposed to remain in controlled environments like your pipes, basins, and sinks. Water should never flow or occur in basements, crawlspaces, walls, floors, or any other places besides your pipes or outdoors.
If it does, water causes unwanted and costly damage to your home’s structural elements. So, how do you protect your home against water damage? Here are some helpful tips:
1. Schedule Preventive Plumbing Maintenance
The most common culprit of water damage is a compromised plumbing system. Whether it’s from small leaks in hidden pipes to clogged toilets, unmaintained or damaged plumbing systems can let water out where it shouldn’t be. Scheduling regular preventive maintenance of your plumbing can help avoid the frustration of unnecessary and sometimes nasty water damage caused by your pipes. While you can do this on your own, it’s highly recommended to hire a professional plumbing company like Ferguson’s Plumbing to do the job. This can help you save time and effort in doing a comprehensive inspection of your plumbing system. Plus, professional plumbers are trained to spot even the smallest issues in your plumbing system and help resolve them accordingly. This ensures that your plumbing system is working at optimum levels.
2. Inspect Your Roof
Aside from your plumbing system, water damage may also occur due to a compromised roof. In general, a weather-tight roof can help protect your home against water damage. That said, as roofing systems age and continuously fight against harsh weather, they become prone to damage and wear and allow water leaks. So, as with your plumbing system, it’s essential to regularly inspect your roof. This is particularly beneficial if you have an old roof or inclement weather is expected to occur in your area. Set a ladder against your home and inspect your roof. Check for any loose, missing, cracked, or broken shingles that may allow water to leak into your home and fix them accordingly. Also, take the time to clear debris and overgrown moss that can cause rotting or work under the shingles and cause water to seep through your attic or ceilings.
3. Attend To Gutters And Downspouts
Like other pipes in your home, gutters and downspouts can be thought of as exterior pipes, running water off your roof and keeping it away from your foundation. However, like other pipes, gutters and downspouts can get clogged, causing water to overflow and spill over.
This can create two scenarios:
One, it causes standing water on your roof. As water accumulates on your roof, it creates added weight which can compromise the integrity of your roof system. Also, too much water can seep into your roofing material and cause water damage to your ceilings or attic.
Secondly, water that spills over gutters can erode the soil around your home. This can compromise your foundation and allow leaks into your home, damaging your floors and walls.
According to the experts from Summit Cleaning & Restoration in Vancouver Washington, if you want o avoid both scenarios, you simply need to clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year. In addition, you may also want to add a 90-degree downspout elbow or a downspout extension to carry water away from your home, preventing soil erosion around your home and creating leaks in your foundation.
4. Seal Cracks And Holes
Sometimes, protecting your home against water damage is as simple as buying a caulking gun. Caulk can help you can prevent and eliminate leaks around your doors and windows. On a sunny or cloudy day, consider checking your home’s entry points and look for missing or cracked caulking. Check your doors and windows where water may accumulate. Also, don’t forget to look into your sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets to check for any cracked or missing seals. Any cracks or holes your notice should be filled in to prevent even the smallest opening that can let moisture or water in and cause damage to your home.
5. Insure Your Home
One of the best ways to protect your home against water damage is to get the right insurance. In general, water damage that occurs accidentally or suddenly, like a burst pipe, is often covered by standard homeowners’ insurance. However, if you want more comprehensive coverage for water damage, you may want to look for a separate insurance policy, such as water damage from flooding or an overflowing river. Consider talking to your insurance agent to know which water damage protection policies are available and what it covers.
Takeaway
Water damage is one of the costliest disasters your home can experience. Even a small amount of water can easily cause significant damage to your home, compromising the overall integrity of your key structures. So, make sure to follow the tips mentioned above to keep your home protected against water damage.
