subject: Stopping Water Damage In Your Home [print this page] Stopping Water Damage within Your Home Stopping Water Damage within Your Home
The initial signs of water damage might appear minor: a drip here, a drop there nothing that cant be dried up with a towel.
But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak underneath the kitchen's sink can lead to genuine problems like a damaged roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can hurt your pieces of furniture with additional special belongings, along with flooding be capable of very rapidly lead to troubles with mold.
Why take a chance? Understand where your house is most likely to undergo 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 check for leaks under 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 hose connection is firmly attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a indication of a crimped ice-maker line about to burst.
The Sink: Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and make sure the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may 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 look at and address:
Showers And Bathtubs: Take away and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken down supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, producing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and flooring. Leaking drain pipes and shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If needed, make contact with a plumber or contractor for help.
Sinks: Check underneath the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If needed, call a plumber or contractor for help.
Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, various chlorine tablet cleaners may possibly eat away 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: Make sure hoses on a regular basis 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 preservation agenda. To assist make sure the hose doesnt kink, allow at least 4 ins (or eleven centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. Be certain to read the manufacturers installation instructions carefully.
Water Heater: Most water heaters last 8 to fifteen years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may well indicate a leak. Water heaters ought to be mounted 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 defend against power failure or failure of the primary pump. Check the sump pump prior to the start of each moist season. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and ought to possess various components changed or serviced within those 10 years.
Since water could still come through an overflowing drain or cracks inside the foundation walls, make sure items kept in the basement are kept off the flooring. Furnishings must be on top of casters or shims and set away from flooring drains.
Stopping Indoor Leaks
The quickest technique to prevent 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 offer you time to fix the exact problem. Make certain everyone within your family is aware 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 might be able to repair it with relative ease. Plumbing, though, is a complicated business; if youre not sure what to do, dont hesitate to call a plumber or a contractor.
Finding Potential Outdoor Leaks
The Roof
Its not rocket science: roofs are there to keep your house dry, and if youve got water coming in, 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 consider the following points as you conduct the examination:
Keep the roof free from leaves, brushwood, and other litter to allow for appropriate drainage. Clogged gutters can easily lead to poor drainage, that 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 cut down the buildup of heat and humidity and help extend the life of the roof.
Consult a expert on using a preservative or cleaner (depending on the sort of roof you have) to assist limit the weathering effects of moisture and slow the progress of molds and mosses.
Replace missing, curling, cupping, broken, 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 noticed 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 possible culprits to investigate. Get a look around the foundation of your home; a few simple adjustments could make all the difference.
Place splatter blocks at the end of downspouts to take water away from the foundation, or insert an extra length of downspout if necessary.
Every spring, get the air conditioning (A/C) system serviced by a certified contractor. Make sure their service features 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 all spigots water supply.
Replace any damaged caulk around windows or doors.
Repaint wood siding as needed.
Fill in any low spots next to the home 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, especially 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 set up on specific home appliances.
Active Leak Detection Systems
These systems typically create a number of type of alarm, but they also perform a function that will impede the water flow. They include some form of shutoff valve in addition to a means to determine that a leak is occurring. A good number devices use moisture sensors to sense a leak. Other systems use 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 function 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 usually sound an audible alarm tone; some may also feature a flashing light. Passive systems are commonly battery-operated, stand-alone units. They are reasonably priced and straightforward to install. Some simply sit on the floor while others may well be wall mounted. A moisture sensor is located on the bottom of the unit and activates the alarm when it becomes damp. Battery-operated devices need to be tested regularly, and the batteries be supposed to be changed on a periodic basis.
Individual Appliance Systems
These systems are set up on a specific appliance and will automatically shut off the water supply in case of a leak. Based on the type of device, you might be able to install this system without any special equipment. However, in a few cases, a qualified plumber might 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 frequently, this kind of system may perhaps aid you rest assured while youre away from home. Whole-house systems commonly take between four and six hrs to set up, and a competent plumber is usually 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
