subject: Preventing Water Damage Within Your Home
[print this page] Stopping Water Damage in Your Home Stopping Water Damage in Your Home
The primary signs of water damage might look like minor: a drip here, a drop there nothing that cant be dried up with a towel.
But warnings similar to water stains on the ceilings or a leak below the kitchen sink can lead to true problems akin to a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can hurt your home furniture with added delicate goods, in addition to flooding be able to very quickly lead to problems with mold.
Why take a chance? Learn where your home is most likely to undergo water damage, and what you can do to help stop it.
The Kitchen
The kitchen's is a place with a whole lot of water. Look carefully at your major appliances.
The Dishwasher: Periodically confirm for leaks below 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 wet 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 test the pipes beneath the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe can point toward a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is another water damage hot spot. Heres what you should check and address:
Showers And Bathtubs: Get rid of and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a damaged supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft places around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drain pipes as well as shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If needed, make contact with a plumber or contractor for help.
Sinks: Check beneath the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If necessary, call a plumber or contractor for help.
Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. As well, a few chlorine tablet cleaners can corrode interior plastic or rubber areas, leading to a leak. Again, dont hesitate to call in a professional.
The Basement, Laundry, Or Utility Room
Washing Machine: Verify hoses often 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 proactive maintenance program. To aid make sure the pipe doesnt crick, leave at least 4 ins (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. Be sure to look at the manufacturers installation instructions carefully.
Water Heater: Most water heaters last 8 to fifteen years. Damp spots on the flooring or a rusted tank possibly will 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 help 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 ten years and must have a number of components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.
Since water could still come through an overflowing drain or cracks within the foundation walls, make certain items stored within the basement are kept off the floor. Your furniture must be on top of casters or shims and set away from floor drains.
Stopping Interior Leaks
The quickest way 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 offer you time to fix the specific problem. Make certain each within your family understands where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Check it often for problems, and shut off the water if you are away from your home for several days or more. Depending on the severity of your leak, you might be able to fix 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 inside, 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 things as you conduct the examination:
Keep the roof free from foliage, twigs, and additional litter to permit for suitable drainage. Clogged 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 certain air can flow freely through all soffit and roof vents. This will ease the buildup of high temperature and humidity and help extend the life of the roof.
Consult a specialist 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 growth of molds and mosses.
Replace missing, curling, cupping, damaged, 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 any ice dams
From Gutters To The Ground
Once youre off the roof, there are still likely culprits to inspect. Take a look around the foundation of your home; a few simple improvements may possibly make all the difference.
Place splatter blocks by the side of the end of downspouts to carry water away from the foundation, or include an extra length of downspout if necessary.
Every spring, get the air conditioning (A/C) system serviced by a skilled contractor. Make certain 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 each 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 might want to consider setting up a water leak detection system, especially if youre frequently away from the home. Leak detection systems can be either active or passive. Along with leak detection systems, individual appliance systems can be hooked up on specific home appliances.
Active Leak Detection Systems
These systems commonly cause some sort of alarm, however they also perform a function that will prevent the water flow. They feature 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 detect a leak. Other methods utilize 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 also operate for an individual appliance or it can manage a entire property.
Passive Leak Detection Systems
These systems, also called "water alarms," are intended to alert you to a probable water leak. They generally sound an audible alarm tone; some possibly will also feature a flashing light. Passive systems are commonly battery-operated, stand-alone units. They are inexpensive and trouble-free to set up. Some simply sit on the floor as others possibly will be wall mounted. A moisture sensor is located on the bottom of the unit and activates the alarm when it becomes moist. Battery-operated devices need to be tested frequently, and the batteries should be replaced on a periodic basis.
Individual Appliance Systems
These systems are hooked up on a specific machine and will automatically shut off the water supply in case of a leak. Based on the kind of device, you may be able to install this system without any special equipment. Yet, in certain 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 whole water supply. If you travel frequently, this sort of system may perhaps assist you rest assured while youre away from home. Whole-house systems usually take between four and six hours to install, and a skilled plumber is typically required.
Preventing Water Damage in Your Home
If you have 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
