Preventing Water Damage In Your Home
Stopping Water Damage inside Your Home
Stopping Water Damage inside Your Home
The primary signs of water destruction might appear minor: a drip here, a drop there nothing that cant be dried up with a towel.
But warnings akin to water stains on the ceilings or a leak underneath the kitchen sink can lead to genuine problems akin to a damaged roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can hurt your pieces of furniture as well as further special property, as well as flooding can very quickly lead to problems with mold.
Why take a chance? Find out where your home is most likely to experience water damage, and what you can do to help stop it.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is a place with a whole lot of water. Look carefully at your major appliances.
The Dishwasher: Periodically verify for leaks beneath the sink where the pipe connects to the water supply line. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as stained, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
The Refrigerator: If your refrigerator has an ice-maker, make sure the pipe connection is firmly attached to the water supply line. Also, a moist spot on the floor may be a symptom of a crimped ice-maker line about to burst.
The Sink: Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe can be a sign of a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is another water damage hot spot. Heres what you should examine and address:
Showers And Bathtubs: Get rid of and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, producing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drain pipes as well as shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If necessary, write to a plumber or contractor for help.
Sinks: Check beneath the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.
Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects like as hanging bowl deodorants. In addition, certain chlorine tablet cleaners possibly will rust interior plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak. Once more, dont hesitate to call in a professional.
The Basement, Laundry, Or Utility Room
Washing Machine: Confirm hoses frequently for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every 3 to 5 years as part of a practical repair program. To help build sure the pipe doesnt crick, leave at least four ins (or eleven centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. Be sure to look at the manufacturers installation instructions carefully.
Water Heater: The majority water heaters last 8 to fifteen years. Soaked spots on the ground or a rusted tank might signal a leak. Water heaters should be hooked up on the lowest level of the house, next to a floor drain, or inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.
Sump Pump: Battery-operated backup sump pumps can assist protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump. Check the sump pump before the start of every moist season. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have a number of components changed or serviced within those 10 years.
Since water may still come through an overflowing drain or cracks in the foundation walls, make certain items kept in the basement are kept off the ground. Your furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from ground drains.
Stopping Indoor Leaks
The quickest method to stop a leak is to turn off your homes water. Of course its not a permanent fix, but turning off the water during the moment can give you time to repair the exact problem. Make certain each person within your family is sure of where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Test it regularly for problems, and shut off the water if you are away from your house for a number of days or more. Depending on the severity of your leak, you may possibly be able to repair it with relative ease. Plumbing, though, is a complicated business; if youre not confident what to do, dont hesitate to call a plumber or a contractor.
Finding Possible Outdoor Leaks
The Roof
Its not rocket science: roofs are there to keep your home dry, and if youve got water coming within, your roof is a pretty good place to start. That said, there are a number of different ways for water to get in through your roof, so bear in mind the following things as you conduct the examination:
Keep the roof free from foliage, twigs, and other litter to allow for appropriate drainage. Blocked gutters can easily lead to poor drainage, which in turn can lead to leaks in both the walls as well as at the foundation.
Make sure air can flow freely throughout all soffit and roof vents. This will ease the buildup of high temperature and humidity and help lengthen the life of the roof.
Consult a expert on using a preservative or cleaner (depending on the type of roof you have) to help limit the weathering effects of dampness and slow the development of molds and mosses.
Replace missing, curling, cupping, busted, or cracked shingles.
Watch for damage in valley areas of the roof, and around the flashing at chimneys, vents, and other junctions.
Check your attic around flues, plumbing vents, and chimneys for roof leaks, particularly if youve seen water stains on the ceiling.
If its winter and youve got water in the attic or see water stains on your ceilings or walls, look for some ice dams
From Gutters To The Ground
Once youre off the roof, there are still likely culprits to look into. Take a look around the foundation of your home; a few simple improvements may possibly make all the difference.
Place splash blocks by the side of the end of downspouts to carry water away from the foundation, or insert an additional length of downspout if necessary.
Every spring, get the air conditioning (A/C) system serviced by a trained contractor. Make sure their repair consists of inspecting and cleaning the A/C condensation pan drain line. Change the air filters on a regular basis.
Before winter starts, disconnect garden hoses from all spigots and turn off every spigots water supply.
Replace any damaged caulk around house windows or doors.
Repaint wood siding as needed.
Fill in any low spots next to the house to help water drain away from the foundation.
Hardware That Can Help
To help keep an eye on these or other problem spots, you may want to consider setting up a water leak detection system, particularly if youre frequently away from the house. Leak detection systems can be either active or passive. Along with leak detection systems, individual appliance systems can be installed on specific home appliances.
Active Leak Detection Systems
These systems usually produce a number of type of alarm, but they also perform a function that will impede the water flow. They feature some type of shutoff valve and a means to determine that a leak is occurring. Most devices use moisture sensors to detect a leak. Other methods make use of a flow sensor and a timer to determine that something is leaking and the water needs to be turned off. An active leak detection system can either operate for an individual appliance or it can control a whole property.
Passive Leak Detection Systems
These systems, also called "water alarms," are intended to alert you to a probable water leak. They normally sound an audible alarm tone; some may possibly also feature a flashing light. Passive systems are frequently battery-operated, stand-alone units. They are inexpensive and uncomplicated to install. Certain simply sit on the floor while others might be wall mounted. A moisture sensor is located on the base of the unit and activates the alarm when it becomes moist. Battery-operated devices need to be tested regularly, and the batteries ought to be changed on a periodic basis.
Individual Appliance Systems
These systems are installed on a specific appliance and will automatically shut off the water supply in case of a leak. Depending on the type of device, you may be able to install this system without any special tools. On the other hand, in a few cases, a qualified plumber may be needed.
Whole-House Systems
These systems feature a shutoff valve installed on the main water supply pipe. When the system detects a leak, it will automatically shut off the entire water supply. If you travel regularly, this sort of system could aid you rest assured while youre away from home. Whole-house systems commonly get between 4 and six hrs to install, and a skilled plumber is typically required.
Preventing Water Damage in Your Home
If you've suffered a water damage to your property, Gregory Restoration is here to help. We service all of Orange County, California --- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call: 949-366-1930
by: johohtovab
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