subject: Water Damage Prevention Tips In Your Dallas Home [print this page] The initial signs of water damage in your Dallas home may appear minor and harmless, but they are warnings that are meant to alert you to a growing problem that needs to be taken care of. A water stain on the wall or on the ceiling means there in a leak that undermines the structural integrity of the home. The leaky pipe may burst, causing a flood or it may drip for awhile and lead to rot, mold and mildew in your Dallas home. Either scenario is unnecessary because it can be easily prevented. The following are some of the most common and easily preventable Dallas home maintenance and water damage prevention tips.
In the bathroom:
It is only common sense to remove and replace cracked caulk and grout in and around showers and bathtubs because water can get through the cracks and lead to deterioration causing stains and mold on walls and floors.
Toilets can be easily clogged if too much toilet paper, diapers or other objects are flushed down, which may lead to water overflow and flooding in the bathroom.
Periodically checking under the sink for leaks is a good idea to make sure there is no water damage from cracked or leaky water lines as well as drain pipes.
In the kitchen:
Check for wet spots around your refrigerator. Having a wet spot may be an indication of the ice maker line ready to burst. If that is the case, make sure to repair the problem. Check to determine that the water supply line is well connected to the hose.
Remove and replace old cracked caulk around your sink and look under the sink for any leaky pipes. Make sure to clean a blocked drain by paying attention to slow draining pipes.
Look for signs of leaks and water damage to cabinets and flooring around the washing machine; these may be indicated by stains, soft spots, discoloration or warping. Also check under the sink for any leaks from the water supply line to the dishwasher.
In the laundry or basement:
Check for rusting on your water heater as well as wet spots on the floor under your water heater. Both indicate a possible leak. The life span of a water heater is about eight to 15 years and it is quite likely that at some point, it may well leak and flood your home. To prevent major water damage from such leaks, overflows and floods, it is safest to have the water heater installed on the lowest level of your Dallas home, right next to the floor drain. Another alternative is to install the water heater on a drain pan that is connected to a floor drain.
A washing machine may cause water damage in your Dallas home if the water hoses are not checked routinely for cracking and leaking. Make sure there is about a five inch space between the back of the washing machine and the wall so that the hoses are not damaged.
You may want to invest in a battery operated sump pump in case of power failures. If you own a sump pump, check it in the beginning of the rainy season to make sure it operates properly.
Investigating leaks:
If you suspect leaks in your home, but cant seem to trace them, there is a sure way to confirm your assumption. Turn off the main water power to your home and record the meter reading. Then wait an hour and record the meter reading again. If the second reading is different from the first one, you most likely have a leak in your home. If you cannot find the leaking pipe, you may want to call a plumber or a Dallas water damage restoration company to investigate the source of your leak, as some dripping pipes are behind walls and may require professional help.
