How To Reduce The Risk Of Water Damage To Your Home

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Even after taking every necessary precaution, accidents still happen. When they do our team at SERVPRO Norwood/West Roxbury is here to help.

There's nothing worse than walking into your home to find an appliance leaking or even worse flooded basement. Studies show that 40% of homeowners have experienced a loss from water damage. With billions of dollars in property losses recorded every year, water damage causes a significant amount of loss. The good news, in most instances the damage could have been prevented.

There are many things homeowners you can do to prevent water damage. It's just a matter of knowing what to do. By staying on top of leaks and taking the proper safety measures, we can defend ourselves from the stress and money loss caused by water damage. Here are the two ways homeowners can reduce the risk of water damage in their homes.

Stay On Top Of Leaks

If you come across a leaking water source in your house, even a slight one, it should be tended to immediately. Leaks do not go away and they usually get worse. Taking the time to fix a little leak when it is first discovered will certainly save you time, money, and hassle if and when the little leak transforms into something more spinster! Even slow leaks will lead to mold, mildew, rot, and insect damage.

It is a good idea to regularly inspect:

• Refrigerators
• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Toilets
• Windows
• Ice makers
• Roofs/ceilings
• Walls

Really, anything connected to a water line or exposed to external elements should be checked regularly. Look for any discolored or brown spots under or around these areas. These are indicators for leakage. Also, look for any cracked walls or loose shingles on the roof. These should be fixed quickly and are usually grounds for leaks and water damage to follow.

Inspect Water Sources 

Making sure that your water sources are working properly is key to the prevention of water damage. These include:

• irrigation system
• sump pump
• hoses
• wells
• septic systems

If you use an irrigation system you'll want to inspect it routinely to make sure it's in proper working condition. Damage to these systems can result in gallons of water and significant flooding.

A sump pump is usually located in the basement of your home and its purpose is to remove any excess water that has built up due to a storm or flooding. Performing checkups on your pump every year and during storms will limit any water damage from building up.

Damaged external hose nozzles can cause leaks both outside and inside your home. If not properly winterized, water remaining in the nozzle will freeze and may cause either damage to the nozzle or, even worse, an interior pipe to burst. It is a good idea to inspect the plumbing for any external water source each spring prior to turning it on for the first time.

Even after taking every necessary precaution, accidents still happen. When they do our team at SERVPRO Norwood/West Roxbury is here to help. Give us a call today for assistance in helping you with your water damage at (781) 769-9125.