subject: Vancouver Water Damage Contractors - Flood Prevention Tips [print this page] Water damage is a major contributor to loss of property in Greater Vancouver, so lets look at some good ways to help you prevent water damage.
Today were going to discuss plumbing and a few things that you can do so that you dont have a flood. At least once a year, make sure you clean your drain lines to prevent sewer back up inside your house. You can either snake your lines yourself or have them snaked professionally.
Another thing to do is contact the city once a year and ask them to come out and clean the lines from the city to your unit. It certainly doesnt take much to make a phone call and it is a great preventative measure that could make the difference between having to deal with flood damage and the associated expenses, stress, and time - or not.
In the winter time, make sure that your water lines are turned off. They should also be upgraded with a frost plug so your lines do not burst from freezing.
If you have any taps, pipes or anything that is dripping, take the time to make these repairs because it really doesnt take long before suddenly theres a catastrophe and youre dealing with water damage and having to pay for restoration because something wasnt taken care of soon enough.
Look underneath your sinks and check the lines that go from the tap down to the shutoff valve. You usually have a hot water line and a cold water line and sometimes those are made out of a certain type of plastic, which becomes brittle over time. Weve done lots of flood damage repair jobs over the years where that line has popped off from wear or snapped from being moved. So, if you have plastic or PVC lines simply get them replaced.
One of the best defences against basement water damage is a sump pump. This is a pump used to remove water that has collected in the sump pit which is commonly found in the basement of homes. If you have a sump pump you should test it monthly by pouring a couple buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should then turn on, get rid of the water and then shut off. If this does not happen then you should call a plumber for service. If your sump pump is being used regularly then consider installing a battery back-up sump pump to be used if there is ever a power outage.
You should also check floor drains in garages, basements, bathrooms and patios by pouring a couple litres of water into them to make sure they drain quickly. If not, then you should snake them or call in a professional to do so.
Finally, make sure to check your foundation and basement walls for cracks. If there are watermarks near cracks this can be a sign of recent leaks and of future risks. Be sure to either fill the cracks with concrete or see a professional about the problem.
