A small leak or a blocked gutter in your home can become a big problem if left unchecked. These minor issues can turn into serious complications such as black mold, rotting drywall, and a weakened foundation. It’s best to catch water damage early so you won’t have to spend much on costly repairs and to prevent any further damage to your home. Here are some proven ways to avoid water damage to your home:
Repair your garage door
If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, you might want to invest in a garage door repair, particularly to seal the bottom of your garage door to prevent water, dirt, and pests from getting in. For extra security, you can install guttering on the garage door to redirect flood water that comes from the roof of your home.
Locate your water main
It’s important to know where your water main is located. This is because, in the event of a pipe leak or pipe burst, you’ll need to quickly shut off your water supply to stop the flow of water from entering your home.
Check your roof for holes
Since your roof is exposed to the elements, it’s susceptible to damage. Any holes on your roof can expose your home to sunlight, rain, pests, and dirt. Always check to make sure that your roof’s tiles aren’t missing, damaged, cracked, and don’t have holes in them. You should also pay attention to your attic. If you notice water stains, peeling paint, and the smell of mildew there, you might have a leaking roof on your hands.
Monitor your sump pump
Sump pumps work by removing water that has accumulated in your sump basin. This is often found in your basement. Ensure that your sump pump is working properly by filling it up with water. Keep an eye out for the rising float which activates the pump, then check to confirm that the water level also falls.
Have your yard sloped
Grading and sloping your yard can prevent water from flowing into your home. You can have this done professionally since the process is quite labor-intensive and you’ll need to have your yard assessed to see what kind of work needs to be done. Sometimes, all you need is a simple resurfacing, but more complex cases require more effort.
Set up a water detection system
Water detection devices alert you when their detector catches an unusual level of moisture. This can tip you off to any leaks around your house that you might not even notice. You can buy multiple devices to install in areas where you have an appliance that uses water, such as washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, and toilet bowls.
Be strategic about where you garden
If you’ve got a green thumb, you’ll have to make sure you’re not planting any trees or plants with invasive roots near your septic tank, pipes, drainage system, or foundation. Planting them too near these areas allows them to potentially compromise these systems, causing severe water damage.
Water damage is a costly and time-consuming problem that can easily be avoided. You can nip these issues in the bud with these simple home maintenance tips.
