A Guide to Protecting Your Home from Water Damage

Your home is your kingdom. It’s that tranquil oasis away from work and all other outside distractions. You want to do everything you can to keep it safe and protected against potential threats. 

There’s just one big problem: there are various threats you have to safeguard against. One of the biggest disasters that could inflict your home is water damage. Whether it is caused by a flood, rainstorms, or just plain negligence, water damage has the potential to ruin the integrity of your property. Statistics suggest that 37% of homeowners in the US have suffered losses due to water damage. 

To stop that from happening, this guide will provide a few important tips on protecting your home from water damage. 

What if the damage has already been done? 

If you’re reading this guide too late, that means a substantial amount of water damage has already impacted your house. While this is bad news, you have no time to sit around. You must rectify the damage as soon as possible. 

This isn’t a job that you attempt to do on your own. What you must do is enlist the services of a reputable water damage restoration company to handle the work. They have the expertise and knowledge to not only do the job to a high standard but also complete the restoration speedily. 

Be proactive in checking for leaks

A minor leak might not seem like much of an issue. They can often pass undetected due to the seemingly minimal amount of leakage they produce. However, never underestimate the significant damage they can cause over time. 

Did you know that a leaky tap can result in 260 liters of water being displaced in a week? Due to this, you should make it a mission to continually check for leaks in the usual places, such as around appliances and underneath sinks. 

Keep your gutters clean

Leaves, weeds, moss – there are various forms of debris which can block up your gutters. This isn’t good due to water overflowing – and subsequently running down a home’s side –which is a common cause of damp. 

Fortunately, you won’t have to bust out your ladder every week to clear out the debris. You can install some high-quality gutter guards. 

Inspect the roof

Go into the attic and inspect the roof to see if any holes are letting in water. Even if these holes are not visible, you should look for other signs that leaking is happening – like colored plaster stains and joists with damp spots. 

Prevent frozen pipes

You never want your pipes to freeze. This is why you should utilize a smart thermostat to ensure warm water is circulating through the pipes to prevent potential water damage. Ten degrees Celsius is a good target to aim for, and this temperature should be maintained even if you’re going to be away on vacation. 

If you’re going to be away from your home over a long period, consider having no water in the pipes by draining the system.