5 Tips on How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage is sneaky and, most of the time, you don’t know it’s there until it’s already done damage. With steps to prevent water damage in mind, you’ll be better equipped to handle any water issues that come your way.

Despite what the weather is like outside, spring will always come (if you are in the Northern Hemisphere; it can get pretty tough for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere). But with spring comes rain, and with rain comes the risk of water damage. If you want to avoid unnecessary water damage in your home this spring, follow these simple tips!

Make sure every water-using appliance is in good working order.

It’s also important to check your appliances now and then, making sure they haven’t begun to rust and that all the parts are working properly.

Turn off and inspect washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals and sump pumps for the following:

• Leaking plumbing connections.
• Damaged or worn supply hoses.
• Dampness around the base of the machine.
• Corrosion on metal parts such as clamps, brackets or screws.

If your appliances are more than 10 years old or have any signs of damage, it might be time to replace them with new energy-efficient models (which can save you money in utility bills). If you buy a new one, be sure to keep an eye out for recalls; if a model is recalled after you’ve brought it home and installed it, take advantage of any repair programs offered by the manufacturer. Follow these steps to find out if your appliance has been recalled:

Drain the hot water heater.

In a perfect world, the water heater in your home would last forever. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. But there are things you can do to make it last longer and work more efficiently. One way to help maintain your water heater is to drain it once or twice a year.

Why Is Draining My Water Heater Important?

Over time sediment and particles can build up in any water heater. These can start to clog up your hot water tank and make it run less efficiently or cause corrosion and rust on the bottom of the tank. By draining your hot water tank yearly you will help remove any sediment that has built up over the past 12 months from your tank. This will help keep your tank running efficiently by preventing clogging issues, while also helping extend its life by preventing rusting problems on the bottom portion of the tank.

Check around windows and doors for air leaks.

You should be on the lookout for drafts, which are one of the most significant causes of water damage in your home. You can start by checking around windows and doors to see if there are any air leaks letting moisture into your house. (While you’re at it, inspect around vents and light fixtures as well.) Caulk is a great solution for filling up air leaks like these; silicone caulk is best for showers, tubs and other wet areas, but latex caulk will work just fine in dry places.

It’s not always possible to prevent drafts from entering your home through the smallest crevices. Consider getting an air leak detector to ease the burden associated with finding these pesky culprits. If an unexpected draft gets past you, it might pay off to learn about how dehumidifiers work!

Perform routine maintenance on your home’s plumbing system.

You’ll also want to perform routine maintenance on your home’s plumbing system.

• Inspect your water heater.
• Inspect your water lines.
• Inspect your water pressure.
• Inspect the temperature of your water heater.
• Inspect your toilets, faucets and showerheads for leaks or drips.

Check your gutters and downspouts.

It’s not good to let any water build up in your gutters. Make sure they are clear and draining properly.

You should check your gutters at least twice a year, spring and fall. If you have a lot of trees around your home, you might want to check them more often during the fall.

If you find that there is an issue with your gutters, contact a professional roofing company for help. Don’t try to fix gutter issues yourself unless you know what you’re doing!

Water Damage Restoration Lewisville

Whether you live in a small apartment or a large mansion, water damage can happen at any time. A sudden storm, rainwater dripping into your ceiling, or other strange circumstances may cause your home to be flooded with water. Water damage is one of the most common reasons homes are foreclosed on and sold at a loss.

While everyone hates scenes of their precious possessions soaking wet and lying in pools of mud, getting your home back to normal as quickly as possible is always best for safety. Contact Restoration 1 of Lewisville for all your residential water damage restoration needs today!