Water is essential, but it can also be one of the largest threats to anybody’s property. When large quantities of water run rampant, it can cause severe structural damage.
Fixing water damage is expensive. Sometimes your home can’t even be fixed to its original state. Valuables like electronics, paper, and carpets can be permanently damaged. If someone has something with sentimental value, no amount of insurance money can bring it back.
We’ll talk about some of the best ways to avoid water damage in your home. We’ll also talk about how to fix it if something goes wrong. These are the things to look out for over at this website so you can stop the water damage before it even starts.
When considering safeguarding your property from the perils of water damage, implementing preventative measures is indispensable. Yet, it is equally crucial to be prepared for unexpected situations where immediate intervention is essential. For comprehensive insights and expertise on handling the aftermath of water damages, do have a peek at this web-site. DrierHomes specializes in water damage restoration, adeptly navigating through restoration processes to bring back the safety and comfort to your home swiftly and efficiently, even when confronted with the most challenging scenarios.
#1 – Check Old Pipes
A leaky pipe is one of the biggest culprits of water damage in your home. There can be slow leaks, and then there are pipes that burst suddenly. Both situations can be damaging to your home, but the slow leak can be prevented more easily. At the first sign of any water from a leaky faucet or toilet, you should investigate the problem.
Life gets busy, and it can seem like a hassle to find the issue, but you’ll be thanking yourself for being proactive. Slow leaks are signs of damage that will be caused in the immediate or distant future.
What are the different types of piping?
Educate yourself on what types of pipes are in your home and how likely they are to rust. Older homes might have pipes made out of galvanized steel or copper. Both pipes are very sturdy, but they rust.
When this happens, you are at a huge risk of getting clogged pipes. This can cause the pipes to burst suddenly, as well as contaminate the water supply in your home. If you know you are living in a home that was built in the 1980s or earlier, you probably have steel or copper pipes.
Talk to a plumber or other professional about replacing them with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes if possible. These can’t be used for hot water, though, so if you need hot water you’ll want to use CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) instead. Both types of pipes are flexible and less susceptible to leaking over time.
If you live in a newer home, it is still important to understand what types of pipes you are using. Educating yourself is the best way to keep water damage from occurring.
#2 – Use Your Plumbing Effectively
Toilets are another huge reason for water damage. Plumbers have to come to homes for clogged toilets frequently because folks aren’t careful with what they put down the bowl. It doesn’t help when toilet manufacturers try to brag about the number of golf balls their toilet can flush without a clog occurring.
People take advantage of newer toilet technology and put all types of things down there when they don’t belong. Only use the toilet to go to the bathroom. Toilet paper is acceptable. Spare garbage is not going to be good for a toilet.
See if the toilet may be working differently than before. Perhaps the toilet is flushing with less power. In this case, call your plumber and ask for some help. They may also be able to advise you on DIY tips for maintaining your toilet and figuring out how to unclog it next time. Just don’t ignore the problem, though. This can lead to flooding.
#3 – Maintain Your Roof
Roofs are another one of the biggest reasons for water damage in your home. Whether there is snow or rain occurring in your area frequently, it is important to have a good roof. Any type of water from the weather outside will destroy your home if you have an old roof that is failing to provide cover for your house.
Your roof should be checked by a professional every five years so you can prevent water damage from happening before it starts. Many people may be afraid to know the truth about their old roof because it is expensive to repair or replace. The water damage that will occur otherwise is much more expensive than buying a new roof.
#4 – Check for Pests
Pests are one of the more forgotten reasons for water damage in a home. Pests damage plumbing, wiring, and other items in your home that can cause structural damage. Rats chew through wires and chords. They get inside vents on the roof. Other animals may crawl into the trap of your gutters, causing blockages and leaks.
Make your home inhospitable to pests in your region. Cut down debris to make the yard less tempting for pests to intrude on. Put netting around your vents on the roof. Check wiring to make sure everything is undamaged. Don’t ignore signs there are pests in your home.
If you hear any pattering or noises in the kitchen or bathroom, or in the walls, call an exterminator and get it checked out.
#5 – Get Good Insurance
Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance is important for fixing your home in the aftermath of a flood. If you live in an apartment, this is when it’s important to get renters’ insurance.
Renters’ insurance will protect belongings in case they are destroyed by water, as long as negligence didn’t cause the water damage. If you live in a region with a high risk of flooding, like where there are hurricanes, it is especially important to get a policy that comprehensively covers water damage. You should also look into flood insurance.
Do everything you can to prevent water damage from happening so that your insurance company will cover the damage. If your insurance company sees that the water damage occurred because of something the policyholder did, they might not give a full payout.
Water damage is one of the most frightening things that happen to people on a daily basis. If you live in an area with lots of potential for water damage, it is even more important to take precautions. As long as you prepare to the best of your ability, there is no reason to fret about water in your home.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, Clearsurance.com. He wants to help people understand how water damage can be avoided in their homes.