How to Prevent Water Damage
Water damage is something that every homeowner wants to avoid. Below are a few measures you can take to help prevent water damage that may cost a lot of money.
We’re taking it from the top.
Inspect your roof.
Ensure that there aren’t any broken, cracked, missing or loose shingles up on your roof. It may not take a big environmental occurrence for your roof to leak. Without a weather-tight roof, your house may suffer water damage.
Know where your main water shut off valve is in your home.
Finding out the location of your main water valve and knowing how to turn it off is important. This could be the difference between minor and major water damage loss. If a pipe bursts in your home, the first thing to do is to shut off the main water supply. This will hopefully reduce damage.
Maintain your drains
The main job of your drainage system is to flush out wastewater to the sewer or septic. Every part of that system must work effectively or there may be a collection of water in sink cabinets. This can lead to leaks inside walls or between floors. Ensure foreign liquids like grease, oil, and butter are disposed of appropriately. These substances can hinder a good drainage system and will be costly to remove. Make sure to keep your drains in excellent condition. This is also a good time to check appliances for leaks.
Check your water bill.
The easiest way to know if there’s a leak is by taking a look at your water bill. If you notice that the usage has increased significantly without any reason, it’s an indication that something’s wrong. If your fixtures look fine, have a look in different places. Outside pipes or hose connections are a good place to start.
Don’t put off known leaks for a later date
If moisture damage is ignored or if necessary repairs are not acted on promptly, there’s a high chance of damage. This can come in the form of dry rot, mould, mildew, or even structural damage to your home. A point to note is that damage caused by a lack of maintenance may not be covered on your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Install environmental sensors
Environmental sensors can alert you about various conditions in your home and one of them is a flood sensor. A flood sensor can be placed in flood-prone areas. Near your hot water tank, or in basements, so you are notified of pooling before severe damage occurs.
Low-temperature sensors are another option to consider. They can detect a drop in temperature which can lead to water freezing in pipes, causing them to burst. A pipe burst is the last thing anyone would want to have to think about. To combat this, low-temperature sensors can alert you when temperatures fall below a set degree.
For more information, questions or concerns about plumbing in and around your home, give us a call on 902-429-4545 or visit WilsonsPlumbing.ca.
Sources:
https://www.autohomeboat.com/blog/10-tips-to-avoid-water-damage-to-your-home/
https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/how-to-prevent-water-damage/
