Water damage is bad news for any home. Flooding and leaks can easily cause rot as well as mold and mildew growth. Water damage often results in the need for costly repairs that can take a long time to complete.
There are many ways of preventing home water damage from occurring in the first place:
- Maintain your gutters: Clogged gutters are a common cause of home water damage. This is because clogged gutters keep water from properly draining off your roof. Standing water on your roof can easily leak into your home, causing water damage in your attic. It’s best to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Take precautions, including having someone with you, when climbing a ladder to clean your gutters.
- Locate your water main: When you first move into your home, locate the water main. This is an important plumbing feature that controls the distribution of water throughout your home. If a pipe bursts or if you experience a similar plumbing emergency, shutting off this water main could help prevent flooding. As soon as you shut off the water main, contact a pipe repair service right away.
- Keep an eye on your water bill: If you’ve noticed an increase in your water bill, there could be a leak somewhere in your home. Often, higher water bills simply signal an increase in water usage—but it never hurts to check for leaks, especially if your water bills don’t level out after a month or two.
- Keep trees and shrubs away from your pipes: Tree and shrub roots can cause major damage to pipes. These roots are often attracted to the moisture from underground pipes and will grow around them. Sometimes these roots can even grow into pipes, resulting in the need for a full replacement. It’s best to only plant trees and shrubs far enough away from your pipes so that the roots won’t reach them. If you have any trees near your pipes already, you may consider having them removed.
- Check your appliances: Leaking appliances can often cause home water damage. Routinely check your washing machine, refrigerator and similar appliances for leaks.
- Fix leaks as soon as possible: Never avoid leaks, even the small ones. Leaks can easily create major water damage over time. An area with moisture provides a great breeding ground for mold, which is terrible for your health. Mold is also often difficult to remove, especially if it has spread throughout your home. Small leaks can even cause a drastic increase in your water bill.
Worried about water damage?
Water damage can occur in any home. Use the methods above to help prevent major damages. If you do experience problems with your pipes, be sure to contact an experienced technician right away. This will help in preventing water damage from completely destroying your home.
If you’re looking for top-quality pipe services, contact the experts at Grade-1 Underground. Our services include pipe installations, repairs and maintenance. We even offer 24/7 emergency service for burst pipes.