Your home is your space of security and comfort. By ensuring its health and timely maintenance, you can give longevity to your home and increase its value. You may be surprised to know that water damage can be one of the biggest culprits in causing property-related loss.
You must ensure that your home gets regular maintenance, especially to detect and prevent water damage. Many factors can cause water damage to your house, and many of these reasons are noticeable.
These simple steps ensure that your sweet home is protected against water damage year-round.
Table of Contents
1. Inspect Your Roof
Your roof protects you and your belongings from all kinds of weather and the dangers that come with it, so it is important to ensure that it’s strong and well-maintained. The most important thing is ensuring that your roof is safe from algae, moss, and lichen.
To prevent harmful growth, spray a mixture of water and bleach from time to time. You must also ensure that your getters do not get clogged up. Clogging can prevent water from flowing off the roof. Over time, this may affect your roof’s strength significantly.
2. Check for Leaks
Leaks are never a bearer of good news, may it be your favorite coffee mug or your home’s roof or pipelines. Leaking issues never go away independently; they only escalate over time and can cause burst pipes and flooding.
Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. If you see any leaks in your house, try to identify their source immediately and take the necessary steps to fix them. If you cannot detect the problem on your own, you can search for “Plumber Longmont” to get professional inspection and repairs.
3. Disconnect the Hoses
If you have a garden or a backyard, there is likely at least one faucet with a hose. You can let the hose stay attached for summers, but as the fall season ends, an attached hose can cause big problems for your home.
If the hose is not disconnected in the winter, there is a high chance that the standing water may turn into ice, creating an ice block. It may not sound so concerning, but the expansion causedwater turning into ice can burst your pipes and cause damage to your walls and floor.
4. Look for Mold and Moisture
The most noticeable signs of water damage in your home can be mold spots, bubbling paint, or a termite issue.
Moisture can creep into your home in many ways, especially during the rainy season. If your walls are cold to the touch and you notice a musty smell, you may have a mold problem. Health risks from mold buildup are a major concern besides the damage it can cause to your home.
5. Maintain Your Trees
There is no doubt that trees can add beauty to your home. A good backyard can also increase the value of your home, but sometimes, trees with invasive roots can become a nuisance. It is recommended that you minimize your landscaping ideas near your pipes.
Planting trees and shrubs near your pipes can allow the root systems to grow in your drainage field or pipes. Bigger trees with stronger roots can cause a lot of damage. When planting, begin at least 20 feet away from your home.
6. Install Water Detection Device
It is never a bad idea to rely on technology, especially concerning matters as important as protecting your house. Leak detectors are electronic devices that detect flooding and set off an alarm when triggered. Most of these devices need only a 9V battery to function.
You can place these alarms near water pipes and areas prone to get flooded, like bathrooms, attics, and basements. Leak detectors can also sense moisture in the air and shut down your water supply in case of flooding.
7. Keep an Eye on Your Water Bills
Your water bill can tell you so much more than the amount it mentions. You can get estimated monthly water used in your householdchecking your bill regularly. If your bills start to spike suddenly, it can be the most obvious way to detect a leak.
A high bill can be your cue to check leaks and make the necessary changes. If the high bills remain persistent, you should immediately opt for professional help.