7 Essential Tips for Water Damage Prevention at Home

Water damage is a common problem, coming in second after wind and hail damage in homeowners insurance claims. And while you typically experience the latter more rarely, water damage is a year-round threat. 

The good news, there are a few ways to prevent water damage alongside the accompanying losses, restoration costs, and inconveniences. 

Here are seven essential tips. 

burst pipe

1. Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean

Gutters allow rainwater and melted ice dams to flow into downspouts and be directed away from your property. If filled with debris or clogged, the unmanaged overflow creates water pools on your roofs. This water could end up on the sides of your house or even damage the roof, sending water into your home. 

Both outcomes lead to water damage. 

Clean out your gutters every couple of months, and clean out ice dams in winter as soon as they occur. Also, inspect your gutters regularly and fix any problem areas immediately to keep them functioning as they should. 

Avoiding clogged gutters is the first water damage prevention step. 

2. Maintain Trees and Shrubs

Greenery is beautiful, great for the environment, and it increases the value of your home. Until it reaches your plumbing. 

The roots of your trees and shrubs can find their way into your plumbing system, causing blockages or growing so big that they create undue pressure from the inside; when this goes on long enough, cracks and even pipe bursts occur.

The remedy? Move plants that have become too big, and keep your landscaping away from utility pipes. 

3. Maintain Appliances

Everything from your dishwasher, washing machine, HVAC system, and refrigerator can be a source of water damage if it malfunctions. 

For every new appliance you get, carefully review the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them to the letter. Similarly, inspect often for appliance leaks

Some of the main problem areas with appliances are the hoses. As they age, they become brittle and likelier to crack. With HVAC systems, pay attention to the pump and condensate pipe. 

4. Treat All Leaks as Emergencies

Investigate any signs of a leak you come across in your house. Ignoring a leak is never a good thing. First, the leak might indicate a more significant problem elsewhere in your house. 

Secondly, even slow leaks can create huge problems, including mold, mildew, and rot over time. Mold and mildew in the house interfere with your air quality. Long-term exposure to the same also puts residents in a house at risk for respiratory issues. 

5. Install Water Detection Devices

Sometimes water damage comes from minor, hardly noticeable leaks. At times, these leaks are in hard-to-spot places like the crawl space. Regrettably, crawl space leaks will have significantly damaged the surrounding structures when you become aware of them. 

One way to manage these is by installing water detectors. These are small electronic devices whose alarm goes off when their sensors come into contact with water and moisture. This ensures you handle leaks promptly and avoid extensive water damage. 

6. Check the Water Pressure

Everyone loves good water pressure, more so in the shower. But too much of a good thing can spell trouble. 

Typical water systems for an average residential property are designed for 40 to 70 psi water pressure. If the water pressure in your home goes too high above this, hoses and pipes may buckle under the pressure, leading to a pipe burst. 

If the water pressure in your home exceeds 100 psi, install a water pressure regulator to slow down the flow.

7. Only Work with Professional Contractors

Professional contractors are licensed and trained to follow industry standards to the tee. If you need workmanship for your roof, foundation, plumbing, and electrical or roof installations, only hire professionals. 

Attempting to DIY some of these jobs or using your handy friend to do the job will be cheaper, but the final product will not guarantee safety or water damage protection. 

What Can We Do For You?

Vetted Los Angeles Restorations is a local network of water damage response teams, and we have seen it all!

Whether your attic has some water damage or your sprinkler system has sent gusts of water all over your property, our team will know exactly what to do and will do it quickly. Get in touch for a custom water damage restoration quote today!

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