When it comes to water damage, prevention is much easier than restoration. Total Restoration provides fast, emergency response throughout Magnolia and southeast Texas to help property owners recover from water damage. We want to help you protect your home from the devastation of water damage, so we have compiled a list of ways you can help prevent water damage in your home, and mitigate potential water threats.
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Water Damage Prevention
- Start with a visual inspection of your home or building. Check basements, garages, and attics, under cabinets, around rain gutters, rooftops, and window wells. These are all common places where water can pool and go unnoticed. Make sure these areas are dry and show no signs of excess moisture or water damage. Continue to periodically inspect these areas to be sure that they stay clear of any signs of water damage, and that there are no cracks or leaks in sight.
- Perform routine maintenance on household appliances that use water. Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are all common culprits of water damage in homes. Water hoses that run to these machines can weaken over time, corrode, and become prone to leaks. Make sure that you are following manufacturerâs guidelines when it comes to installation, use, and maintenance. Consider replacing washing machine hoses regularly (every couple years) to avoid leaks from aging and overuse.
- Know the location of your water main. If you find yourself in a situation where water is overflowing, you will need to know where your water main is and how to shut it off. You may want to shut off the main water line to your home if you plan on being away for extended periods of time.
- Install water detection devices. There are detectors available that will warn us when moisture is present, just like smoke alarms warn us of fires. These are extremely beneficial in areas where water leaks can go unnoticed, like basements and under cabinets.
- Use a water pressure gauge to check the water pressure to your home. Water pressure gauges are available at most local hardware stores, and all you have to do is attach it to an outside faucet and turn the faucet on full force. The gauge will give you a reading of the water pressure going into your home, and if it is too high it can cause unnecessary strain on pipes and hoses and cause them to fail or leak under the pressure. If your water pressure is above 100 psi, you should install a water pressure regulator. Regulators can also be found at most local hardware stores, and come with installation instructions. Regulators will ensure that the pressure going into your home stays within normal limits.
- Monitor your water bill. If your usage spikes from one month to the next for no known reason, it may be due to a leak. If you cannot find a source, cause, or explanation to a sudden rise in your water usage, go back through your visual checklist of any areas of the home where leaks could be more prone. If all else fails, call in a restoration team to help with your investigation. They will work with you to help you find the source of any possible water leaks.
Total Restoration has restored more than 5,000 properties throughout Texas, and have built our reputation on providing fast and reliable water damage restoration services. We are here for you, day or night, and out technicians are certified in water damage restoration and structural drying techniques and will use their expertise to restore your home as quickly as possible. If you find yourself facing water damage, let Total Restoration take care of your needs.