What You Need to Know to Prevent Water Damage to Your Home

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Water leak

Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes but can cause extensive (and expensive!) damage to your home. Although it’s nearly impossible to totally flood-proof your house, covering the basics outlined below can help shield you from potential flood damage in the future.

Look Out for Water Leaks

Water leaks are one of the top causes of water damage to homes. Water leaks from toilets or other plumbing can cause significant damage over time that can be expensive to repair. If you notice any leaks or a constantly running toilet, call a professional and get it addressed immediately. In addition, keep an eye on your monthly water bill, as any unusual spikes can indicate a leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing system.

Clogged drains can also back up and cause water to show up where it shouldn’t be. As an easy precaution, pour boiling water down the drains in your home’s kitchen and bathrooms around once a month to help clear out any stubborn debris. Remember that animal fats and cooking grease should never go down drains.

Home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, and more can utilize massive amounts of water, meaning any leak that develops can quickly become a huge headache. Check the hoses to these appliances once a year and replace them every 5-7 years, or right away if you spot any issues.

An air conditioning unit can be especially prone to leaks, and water from a malfunctioning unit can be dangerous for basements, as they can soak the ceiling and cause mold damage. If you ever spot discoloration that you suspect may be due to mold, call a mold remediation specialist as soon as possible, as mold may cause health effects to you and your family.

Keep Your Gutters Clear

Keeping your home’s gutters clear and free of debris is an easy yet often overlooked chore. Regularly clearing the leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other gunk from your house’s gutters and downspouts keeps water from pooling up. This avoids water damaging roof coverings, rotting wood, peeling paint, and leaking into basements.

If you have a front and back yard, ensure that your lawn “points” away from your home. Lawns can have imperceptible grades, and even the slightest slope down away from your house can act as an extension to your gutters and carry water away from the walls of your home.

Ensure Your Home’s Foundation Is Strong

Cracks can develop occasionally in the concrete foundation of your home, and if not treated, they can widen with time to let water in and render you extra vulnerable to storms. Do regular foundation check-ups where you walk around the outside of your house and make note of any cracks, which can be filled with masonry caulk and/or mortar as soon as they’re spotted. If cracks continue to develop frequently after repairs, consult with professionals.

Another way to catch any foundational issues as soon as possible is to watch for any water seeping into your basement after a heavy rain, which is indicative of a structural problem somewhere.

Locally-owned and operated, SERVPRO of Cedar City/Fillmore has a team of highly-qualified water restoration technicians ready to get your home back in pristine condition. For more information on how to prevent water damage to your home or for 24/7 emergency response in Fillmore and Cedar City, Utah, contact us at SERVPRO today.