8 Ways To Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Water damage can come from anywhere.

It can come from the rain that falls from the sky. It can come from the pipes that have burst in your home. And it can come from the household appliances that are no longer fit for purpose.

With water damage comes stress. Not only will you have the stress of a clean-up job, but you will also have to endure financial stress when having to make repairs and replace the contents you have lost. Check out water damage restoration Arlington, for more info.

Needless to say, if you can find ways to protect your home from water damage, then you shouldn’t delay doing what is needed.

To guide you, we have a few tips to help you below, giving 8 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

#1: Ensure you have proper guttering and drainage in place

In the event of a sudden downpour, you will face damage to your home’s foundations and to your home’s exterior walls if you don’t have proper guttering and drainage in place. So, make sure you have a trench drain system in place to prevent rainwater from flooding your basement, and speak to a professional (follow the previous link) if you’re unsure about the effectiveness of your current drainage system at home. And check your gutters and downspouts. If they are broken, you should have them repaired as soon as possible, as that sudden downpour could send cascades of water flooding down your home’s exterior walls and through gaps in your foundation if you don’t. 

#2: Clean your gutters regularly

It’s a dirty job, we know, but if your gutters become clogged with leaves and other debris, the water that remains could cause leakage into your home. Climb the ladders yourself if you aren’t afraid of heights, or call on the services of a trained professional if you would rather hand the job over to somebody else. Of course, to save yourself the job and the expense, you might want to attach gutter guards to your roof gutters. These prevent clogging and ensure a steady flow of water away from your home, so they are a worthy investment if you haven’t had them attached already.

#3: Inspect  your roof

Your roof is your first line of defense against the wind and the rain, so you should inspect it regularly. If any shingles or tiles are broken, loose, or missing, you should replace them as soon as possible, because not only will you experience a few nasty drafts in your home if you don’t, but if it rains, you will be susceptible to leaks and even flooding too. Again, climb the ladders if you’re able, or inspect from down below, perhaps with a pair of binoculars, to assess the state of your roof. Call on the services of a professional roofer if you do notice gaps or signs of damage.  

#4: Maintain your garden

You probably keep your garden in check already, especially when trying to maintain it’s aesthetic beauty. However, going beyond your home’s curb appeal, you should do what is necessary outdoors to protect your home from water damage. For starters, you should trim back any trees or overhanging shrubbery, especially if they are located near your home’s guttering. You should also be mindful of those trees and plants that have invasive root systems, as they could grow into your drainage areas or sprinkler systems, and cause damage and blockages. Remove them if necessary or cut back where you can. Speak to a professional landscaper for practical help and advice if needed, and do what you can yourself when out in your garden.

#5: Find out the location of your water shutoff valve

Do you know where your water shutoff valve is? If any pipes burst in your property, or if for some reason you struggle to turn off the taps to your baths or your sinks, you will experience flooding if you aren’t able to turn the water off quickly, and that could prove disastrous. So, make sure you and everybody in your household knows where the shutoff valve is, and if you’re currently unsure, now is as good a time as any to find it. There is some guidance here if you are in any way unsure. 

#6: Check your household appliances and fixtures

You will already know if there are any problems with water leakage in your home, as not only will you spot the telltale puddles of water around affected areas, but you might also notice signs of damp, sagging ceilings, and damage to your floors and furnishings. If your toilet, bath, or sinks are damaged or blocked in any way, these could be responsible for any water leakage. You might also experience water damage if the hoses on your washing machine have become loose or corroded, or if the freezer compartment in your refrigerator stops working on a regular basis. When you find the source of leakage, replace your appliances or fixtures if they are beyond the state of repair, or call on the relevant professionals to make the necessary fixes and re-installations. 

#7: Install a water flow monitoring and detection system

Water flow monitoring systems measure the flow of water into your home, and if they detect any discrepancies, they automatically stop the water flow from your mains. There are different models on the market, and some are smart-enabled, so it’s worth shopping around according to your budget. You can find out more here, so if you haven’t already done so, consider the investment, as they can prove very useful if your home suddenly becomes susceptible to water damage. 

#8: Use your common sense

(Finally, be sensible when you’re at home. Don’t leave doors or windows open when the rain falls. Don’t leave your bath or sinks unattended when filling them. And don’t delay when you know you need to make repairs to your appliances and fixtures. By using your common sense, you won’t experience water damage, and you won’t have to deal with the ensuing stress that would otherwise follow.

For more advice on protecting your home from water damage, check out each of our suggestions, and commit to further research for more details of each one. 

Take care, stay dry, and thanks for reading!