It’s devastating to experience water damage at home. You can’t stop but worry about the further destruction it could cause. And if you’re not able to handle the situation immediately, molds start to appear. In as little as 24 hours, and even with just a small amount of water, it can spread to other parts of your house.
Water damage can also cause different kinds of structural problems and safety hazards. You may not even notice them until it’s too late. Below, you’ll learn some simple tips that can help you protect your home against water damage and preventing any other problems it may cause.
Use a Water Leak Detector
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10% of homes in the US have leaks in them. This results in water wastage that amounts to more than 90 gallons per day. Water leak detectors are electronic devices that can help you identify sources of leaking water in your home. Using it requires an internet connection, making it a type of smart device.
Aside from identifying sources of water leaks, a water leak detector will notify you once it’s able to determine if there’s a leak in the first place. Because of this technology, several variants have been developed to improve its function.
Some smart leak detectors try to evaluate how much moisture is in the air in your house. From that, it attempts to analyze if it’s caused by a leak or not. Freeze sensors that alert you when the temperature in your house reaches near freezing point. Nothing in your house should be freezing unless there’s water leaking.
There are also smart water shut-off valves. They are used in detecting water flowing through pipes in your house. If there is abnormally high moisture detected from these pipes, the device shuts off valves. Other smart water devices simply detect water but can’t close valves.
Waterproof Doors and Windows
Waterproofing windows and doors is a simple solution to preventing water from entering your home. According to Build magazine, waterproofing a house should be done during its construction. Many houses, however, are not waterproofed.
Basic waterproofing can start in your windows and doors. You can apply caulking to seal the joints of your window. If you have a glass panel door, you can also caulk the glass in it. Weatherstripping is another way of waterproofing. You tape them along the seams of your windows and doors to prevent water from seeping in.
You can also change the frame on your windows and install uPVC and engineered metal frames instead. These window frames are designed to drive water away from your windows.
Installing awnings, shades, and canopies is also a great solution to waterproofing doors and windows. They keep windows and doors shielded from the rain and other weather elements. Just make sure that you source them from reputable local awning services so that you’ll get high-quality results.
Winterize Your Home
Make sure your house is ready for winter. Cold climate can cause pipes in your house to freeze and break. This allows water to enter your home.
To prepare your house for the winter, make sure that your HVAC system is working properly. Your house should be heated enough to prevent pipes from breaking. Exterior water taps are also prone to freezing. Cover and insulate them.
The easiest and cheapest way to winterize your home is to keep snow away from the exterior openings of the house. Roofs, gutters, windows, and doors can be venues for water to enter your home. As the snow starts to pile up, practice proper maintenance by shoveling ice from your home. Melting ice can build up and cause water damage to your house.
Preventive Maintenance
Repairing broken pipes and keeping your gutter or roof clear of debris can also prevent water damage. Inspect pipes and gutter regularly, but more frequently during the rainy season. Don’t wait for a huge rainstorm to come before you perform preventive maintenance on your house. It’s a good practice to stop problems before they occur.
The Right Precautions
Water-swollen wood under sinks and cabinets, pooling at the base of your water heater or HVAC system, and water stains on the ceiling all indicate the start of water damage.
At the first sign of water damage, your priority is to search for the source of the problem. Flooded basements, sewer backups, leaking appliances, and broken pipes are only some reasons why water damage occurs. After identifying the root cause, you should be able to stop it from causing further damage. It’s time to repair and restore what has been defaced.
Having the right precautions can prevent water from causing damage in your home. It can also save you on repair and restoration costs.
