How Can Water in Your Home be a Risk?
Standing water or moisture left over after a flood or a leak can cause additional damage to your home. The best way to ensure that any water damage you may have is minimal is to prevent it. Water damage can occur from your home’s plumbing, appliance malfunctions like dishwashers and laundry machines, slow water leaks, damaged roofs or gutters, cracked foundations or walls, or from outdoor floods and natural causes. Basements can be especially dangerous when considering ways water can enter and get stuck. The following preventative measures can be taken to ensure your home stays water damage-free.
Water Damage Prevention Device and System Installation: One of the easiest ways to ensure your water situations are under control is to install a sump pump. Sump pumps are installed to be lower than, and flush with, your basement floor. Test your pump by pouring water into the pit.
You may also choose to have a basement waterproofing system put in place. French drain and drainage systems are effective as well. French drainage systems are built as trenches filled with rock or gravel and a pipe that is perforated to redirect groundwater and surface water away from an area. Basement dehumidifiers are a simple solution but can help prevent water damage by regulating humidity levels. Basement crack repair and regularly maintaining the crevices of your home can also be effective preventative measures. By choosing to take the time to fix a small break in caulk, you can save hundreds of dollars in water damages.
Maintain Your Home through Routine Check-Ups: Check your rain gutters and downspouts to make sure they are safe and clear. Routine checkups once a month, annually, or even during changing season can be beneficial to your preventative measures. Setting a regular schedule will reduce the ability for issues to pass by you and cause water damage. Clogged gutters can cause water overflow and water damage to wall siding and the foundations. Downspouts should be placed 5-10 feet away from your home to ensure no standing water near your home’s foundation.
Prepare for Flooding Threats: Often, flooding and water damage is caused by natural sources. Prepare for natural disaster threats by moving more important, valuable items to higher areas away from walls and water damage-prone areas. You can also choose to shut off electricity to spaces that may be subject to entrances of water. Consider elevating larger appliances like washers and dryers on wooden planks or plastic platforms to reduce the risk of water coming up through the floor and ruining motors.
Along with elevating appliances, you may choose to reduce flooding from household drains by plugging drains indoors including shower, bath, sink, and floor drains.
Need Help? Call a Professional!
Of course, if any water damage occurs, be sure to contact a professional restoration company like Total Restoration which will offer total and complete water damage restoration services. With a trained, experienced team, your home can be restored and cleaned with 24/7 service, no matter the water damage that may occur.
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