In the United States, water damage has become a headache for many homeowners. This is because it not only leads to costly repairs but can also cause structural issues if left unchecked.
So, if you do not want to find yourself in these sorts of situations, then the good news is that there are several preventative tips that can be helpful in this regard. In this Frizzlife blog, we will be discussing the 6 most effective tips in detail. So, without wait, let’s get started!
Also, read our blog about the Negative Effects of Climate Change USA Water Resources
Proven Tips to Effectively Avoid Water Damage in the House
Below are a few tips that can be followed in order to efficiently avoid water damage in the home.
1. Always Inspect & Maintain Plumbing System:
To prevent water damage, you should regularly inspect your home’s plumbing system. Carefully look for leaks, drips, and even minor issues. As all these can become severe if left unchecked
The recommended inspection approach you can consider following is discussed below.
Start by carefully examining all the visible pipes, fittings, and connections throughout the home. While inspecting, find any wear and tear, corrosion, or dripping. Do not forget close areas like under-sink, basement, behind appliances, and many more.
Once done, take the necessary steps in order to properly address the identified flaws in the plumbing system. Moreover, it is also considered a good practice to replace or change outdated plumbing materials to avoid future failures.
In the end, make sure you have also examined fully exposed pipes in specific areas that are prone to freezing or heating temperatures.
2. Keep the Gutters Clean
We all know that gutters and downspouts play a key role in directing the water away from your home. But do you know? these are most likely to be a major source of water damage to the home.
Over time, the gutters become clogged with waste i.e., leaves, rappers, etc. preventing them from properly transferring water. This increases the overall chances that the wastewater may back up and damage your home’s foundations, side, or other landscape.
Due to this reason, it is considered an excellent tip to clean the gutters. Regularly remove any accumulated debris or other waste material from it. Besides this, consider placing a special gutter guard, so that outside materials like plastic bags cannot get their way into it.
3. Focus on Elevating Water Quality
You may be wondering how enhancing water quality can prevent water damage. Let us explain how.
When the water is completely free from hazardous contaminants and impurities, it can prevent the build-up of scale and mineral deposits inside the pipes, appliances, and fixtures, leading to clogs, leaks, and ultimately corrosion with the passage of time.
Now the question that arises here is – how water quality can be improved. One of the most effective ways is to utilize advanced filtration systems such as reverse osmosis, under-sink, and many more.
These filters make use of different filtration techniques in order to effectively remove a wide range of bacteria, chemicals, sediment, heavy metals, etc. from the given water.
4. Closely Monitor Appliances & Fixtures:
When preventing water damage, keeping a close eye on appliances and fixtures throughout the home is considered an excellent tip. These are also common culprits of water damage.
To monitor them, you should start by inspecting washing machine hoses, bulges, or other signs of wear that can increase the overall risk of bursting. Additionally, be mindful of the leaks around sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs. Keeping a close on these sorts of areas can help you identify and solve the problems before it’s too late.
Most importantly, carefully monitor the old water heater. In the United States, it has been observed that old and leaky water heaters are a major source of water damage as a catastrophic failure can release hundreds of gallons of water into your home. So, consider replacing an aging water heater before it becomes a real problem.
5. Efficiently Manage Your Landscaping & Drainage
Ensuring water is effectively directed away from your home’s foundation can go a long way in protecting your property.
You should carefully start the inspection process from the grading and slope of your home’s guard. Remember, the ground around your home should slop away from the foundation at a slight incline. This will allow water to quickly and efficiently flow away from your home structure.
However, if you see some areas where the water is standing, then consider adding more soil to that part for proper drainage.
When it comes to landscape, you should always avoid planting trees or shrubs too close to your home’s foundation. These help water to sneak into the house structure and damage it severely.
6. Consider Water Detection System
Finally, you can consider installing a water detection system in your home to automatically identify water damage early, all thanks to the advanced technologies on which these systems operate.
There are multiple types of water detection that you can consider going with; one is the whole house. These are comprehensive systems that monitor the entire home (each and every corner) to detect the possible risk of water damage. If anything bad is detected, these will automatically cut off the water supply to the home.
Another type is individual water sensors. These are highly suitable for areas like bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and many more. The sensors will quickly notify you about the water leaks and also trigger the main shut-off valve to activate.
So, these are the six most effective tips that you can consider following in order to avoid water damage in the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common causes of water damage in a home?
Some of the most common causes around the world include leaks in plumbing, appliances, roofs, windows, and foundations.
What should I do if I notice water damage?
You should act immediately on your own to fix the issue, or else go for a professional before it becomes too late.
Closing Thoughts
To prevent your home from being collapsed, it is necessary to avoid water damage as much as you can. There are numerous tips that help you in this regard. In this article, we have discussed some of the effective tips that you can consider following.