How to prevent leaks and flooding in your home
The best way to prevent water damage in your home is to prevent leaks and flooding. Here are simple steps a homeowner can take to prevent serious water problems in a home.
Make sure the indoor plumbing and equipment are in good condition
Check hoses, faucets and pipes frequently
It may seem tedious to constantly check your hoses, faucets, and pipes, but this simple action could save you thousands of dollars. Check weekly that all hoses are secure, faucets are not leaking, and pipes are not leaking. Then if you find something wrong, fix it immediately.
Check the seals around the house
Seals and gaskets don’t last forever. Check the seals on all windows and doors. After a heavy rain, walk through the basement or crawl space to make sure no water gets in. If you notice water that hasn’t entered your home before, you may need to reseal or caulk the area.
Learn how to turn off the water to your home
Familiarize yourself with the main water shut-off in your home. Should a pipe burst or other disaster strike, you can quickly turn off the water to minimize damage.
Turn off the water when you go on vacation
Leave the main faucet closed when you go on vacation. This ensures that no water runs through the pipes, which could potentially burst, while you are away.
Speaking of being away: never leave the washing machine or dishwasher running when you are not at home. A homeowner should always be there when these devices are running, just in case immediate action is needed.
Keep your basement dry
Basements are often a culprit in many water damage situations. Therefore, it is important to keep your basement free of seepage water. Here’s how.
Reseal your basement
Your basement floors and walls may need to be resealed if you notice the appearance of water after heavy rain. The seal doesn’t last forever, and the quicker you reseal it, the less likely you are to suffer water damage.
Check for standing water
Walk around the outside of your home and look for standing water that could seep into the basement ceiling and walls. Then find ways to drain the water out of the house to prevent this from happening.
Prevent sewer congestion with a backflow valve
A waste water backwater valve ensures that no waste water gets into your house. It leaves your home but has no way back.
Prevent floods from entering your home from outside
Direct water drainage away from the house
It is important to always ensure that all water runs away from the home and does not sit and can eventually enter the home and cause damage.
Clean your roof and gutters
Check the roof and gutters at least twice a year (after spring and fall). Leaves and other debris can collect in the gutters and roof, making it difficult for water to drain away. Standing water can cause leaks inside the home, which can lead to damage to drywall, ceilings, and floors, not to mention mold growth and other problems.
Check sprinklers and irrigation systems
Check your sprinkler and irrigation systems frequently, looking for pipe leaks or loose fittings that can allow water to drip into your home or basement.
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