Are you thinking about water damage in your home? Perhaps you should be. Water damage is the most common insurance claim for homeowners, accounting for nearly 30% of all claims. And because water leaks can be hard to see until they’ve caused considerable damage, it’s often a hefty bill. The average amount for a water damage project is $11,000, while many are substantially more.
Water goes wherever it wants, making the damage much more extensive than simply repairing the leak. Most claims require a damage restoration service to clean up the mess, dry the area, and prepare it for renovation. The rebuild process consists of wood and drywall replacement, painting, and in some cases, fixing damaged wiring and appliances.
You can save yourself thousands of dollars by remembering that water damage preparation is critical in property maintenance. When creating a water damage prevention routine, you should focus on these two areas: preventing water intrusion from outside sources such as rain and preventing leaks from inside sources like pipes and appliances.
Clean Your Gutters
Keeping your gutters clean is among the most vital tasks to manage for your home, especially in spring and fall when there’s a lot of debris from trees and plants. Your gutters help protect your foundation from too much water seeping in, but they can’t work correctly if they get clogged. Enable the flow of rainwater away from your house and protect your foundation.
Maintain Your Roof
You’ll most likely spend more on replacing a roof than any other reconstruction cost throughout your property’s life. Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material, and they can last 15-20 years with sufficient care. The average cost to replace a shingle roof is around $10,000, so preserving your roof is a fantastic way to save money on housing expenses. Retaining a leak-free roof will also save money on water damage inside your home, which can easily cost thousands of dollars in remediation.
Repair Storm Damage Immediately
Don’t delay having storm damage mitigated. Water intrusion can begin immediately when wind or fallen tree branches damage your roof or siding. You shouldn’t assume that you don’t have intruding water just because there are no visible signs of leaking inside your house. It can take a long time for a small leak to penetrate your ceiling; by then, it’s already caused damages far beyond expectations. Be sure to inspect and halt any potential leakage as quickly as possible.
Remove Yard Debris
Prevent water from permeating into your foundation by maintaining your yard and landscaping. Dead leaves and tall grass can hold moisture against your foundation, so it’s helpful to clean up yard debris regularly. Trim dead branches from your trees to stop them from crashing down on your roof after a strong gust of wind.
Install a Water Pressure Regulator
Fittings, valves, and pipes can only take so much pressure before breaking. City water systems can’t always stay within standard limits, and water pressure can fluctuate. Installing a water pressure regulator to protect your property against sudden leaks is incredibly beneficial.
Pay Attention to Signs of a Leak
A leak might not be the dramatic flood of water you would typically imagine. Most leaks are sluggish and can take weeks to penetrate through walls or ceilings to become blatantly visible. Learn to recognize clues suggesting a leak to catch the issue sooner than later. These indicators include mold, darkening spots on drywall, and bubbling paint.
Check Doors and Windows
Regularly replace the caulking around windows and doors to maintain an adequate seal. Weather, temperature, and the amount of sunlight an area gets can affect how long these seals last. Check your windows and doors for cracking or peeling at least twice a year, and replace the caulking when necessary.
Maintain Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump in your crawlspace, periodically schedule maintenance to verify it’s working appropriately. You risk a flooded crawlspace if your sump pump stops working without your knowledge, and this could result in wiring problems, wood rot, and interior damage.
Keep Your Drains Clear
Establish rules about waste to keep your drains running well. You should never put food products or grease down your kitchen sink, or you could end up with expensive plumbing bills. And nothing but human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down your toilet – no wipes, paper towels, diapers, or feminine products.
Eliminate Water Near Your House
If you notice water puddling near your house or running toward your foundation during rainstorms, your foundation may be damaged. Calling a foundation expert to evaluate your property’s condition is your best next step. If you need to remediate the issue, you may need to have your yard graded to slope away from the house or install a french drain. Both of these preventative solutions are cheaper than repairing a battered foundation.
Install Moisture Sensors
You should install moisture sensors in areas where water damage is likely to occur and go unnoticed. If you have a sump pump, a moisture sensor will notify you immediately if it stops working and your crawlspace begins to flood. Also, consider installing a sensor near your water heater and behind appliances that connect to water lines, such as your dishwater and refrigerator.