Water damage can happen in the blink of an eye. Sometimes it’s sudden, like a dishwasher malfunctioning or a severe rainstorm with buckets of rain leaking into your roof. Water can also buildup underneath the surface without anyone knowing about. A pipe could be leaking for months without getting checked. Sometimes, the only indication of an issue is the increase in the water bill. Here are just a few steps to follow to help keep your home safe.
Some Warning Signs – Water damage isn’t necessarily water gushing from a broken pipe. It can be subtle warnings like a strong musty smell, paint peeling on the walls, floorboards start warping, weird stains or discoloration on the ceiling, mold, and more.
Clean The Gutters – Clean gutters are crucial to directing any rainwater to a safer location. When they are blocked, there’s nowhere for the water to go, therefore it sits on the roof or seeps into your home. Checking the gutters twice a year will prevent any issues during the heavy rain and snow seasons. Installing a gutter guard will prevent an extensive build-up of debris and dirt.
Get Inspecting – Thoroughly inspecting visible pipes in your bathroom, kitchen, basement, and laundry room is very important in ensuring you don’t have any possible damaging situations. Call in a plumber or home inspector to give you a hand, since they typically know what a healthy pipe looks like compared to one on the brink of leakage.
Seal It Up – Adding a new layer of caulk to windows, bathtubs, drains, and more will help to seal any cracks or potential leaks. Or, if you have an old layer of caulk surrounding your fixtures, remove the deteriorating strips and replace with new caulking.
Upgrade, Upgrade, Upgrade! – Check and upgrade any washing machine hoses, dishwasher hoses, and anything else that can be changed out easily. Old, leaky, or brittle hoses should be changed as soon as possible to avoid any issues down the line.
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