subject: Four Basic Water Damage Prevention Tips [print this page] Before we get into discussing the nitty-gritty of water damage restoration, we feel that it's important to go over some information many homeowners overlook. By taking a few basic preventative steps around the house, you can actually help prevent potential sources of water damage before they happen, resulting in costly restoration work and weeks of time lost. Here are some of the basic guidelines for maintaining your household to make it as safe as possible.
Check Hoses on Your Appliances
You probably have a lot of appliances in your home: dishwasher, washer, dryer, sinks and more. Depending on the quality of material used originally and the age of your property, these hoses can become cracked or split, causing leaks to happen unnoticed until it's too late. Checking for old hoses is a relatively quick task that can save you quite a bit of money down the road, so be sure to set aside an hour or so one weekend to go through your home. Usually, a simple hands-on test should be sufficient to determine if the hose needs replacement, and you can usually get inexpensive parts at your local hardware store.
Check the Plumbing Under Your Sinks
Going along with the previous point, the plumbing underneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks also need to be checked for wear and tear. This can be a little more involved than looking at the hoses, as you may need to check the washers inside the pipes as well as make sure they are still tightly fitted. If you suspect that a pipe may be loose or needs replacement, call a local handyman to take a look; it can save you a lot in the long run!
Verify Your Hot Water Heater is Functioning Properly
Most hot water heaters usually have a lifespan anywhere from 7 to 12 years. When water heaters are in need of maintenance or replacement, they begin leaking, emitting condensation or leaving puddles of water on the ground. If unchecked, these can lead to serious water damage scenarios in your garage or basement. Depending on the type of water heater you may have - gas, electric, or tankless - you may need to take different steps to maintain them at different points in time. Check the type of heater you have and compare it to the age of the home, and reference any service requests for maintenance that may have been done prior to you moving in. If you see any signs of trouble, call a water heater technician out to take a look, as water heater leaks can happen very quickly and are usually quite extensive.
Learn Where Your Water Shutoff Valves Are
This can seem very obvious at first but it's an important step many homeowners overlook: where are the water main shutoffs? When disaster strikes, keeping your composure can be difficult and if you are not wholly certain where your water main lines are, you may suffer more water damage as a result from taking the time to locate them, or waiting for a technician to do it for you. In any emergency, knowing how to cut off the source of the leak is crucial to minimizing not only the impact of the water damage but to keep your time and financial obligations low as well. Make sure everyone in the household is fully aware of where the water line shutoffs are in the event of disaster.
These are just some of the basic water damage prevention tips we have. Be sure to stay tuned for more important information from us in the future!
