Avoid Water Damage

Simple Ways to Avoid Water Damage

Every year homeowners spend money on avoidable home repairs. Often the home owner learns what to look for after the fact, when the damage is done and the cost incurred. One of the biggest culprits: water damage. Of all the elements, water causes the most wear and tear on your home, so it makes sense to pay attention to ways you can avoid possible damage.

Gutters

One of the first and simplest ways of avoiding water damage is to keep the gutters free of debris. The purpose of a rain gutter is to catch water and drain it away from the foundation of the home. If the gutters are in disrepair or clogged with dirt and leaves, the water is likely to collect near the foundation and cause erosion, or leak into basements causing further damage and even health hazards. Many home owners find that the installation of gutter covers helps prevent debris from clogging the gutters and causing water damage. Gutter covers can be easily installed by either the home owner or a contractor.

Sprinklers

. Another big water damage culprit is sprinklers. Many home owners have their sprinkler system on a timer system and are either not home or asleep when they are on, and often miss seeing whether their placement is causing damage to the home until the damage is done. If the water is hitting the side of the home, it can cause rot, erosion or the growth of mold. A home is designed to shed off water that comes from a normal rain pattern. Since water from sprinklers comes up rather than down, it can find its way through closed windows causing damage and expensive repairs. Assuring that your sprinklers are installed several feet from the foundation and aimed away from your home can help avoid costly sprinkler damage. Occasionally running them while you are home will allow you to see if a simple adjustment is needed to direct the water away from your home. It is likely that you need to move or adjust your sprinklers if you notice discoloration on the side of your house or hard water stains on low placed windows

Roof Leaks

If caught early, a simple roof leak is a simple repair. Frequently, dreading the cost of a complete roofing job, a homeowner may try to ignore that nagging small leak. The trick is to find the leak before it causes resulting damage, such as mold, rot, and a compromised foundation. Often a home owner sees a mark on the ceiling and assumes that the leak is directly above the resulting stain, forgetting that the water is likely to have traveled a distance before dripping down at a common point. Leaks commonly result from missing shingles, around chimneys or skylights, low spots or valleys on the roof and plumbing vent flashings. Once the leak is located, a homeowner can decide if it is a project to take on them selves or whether it is time to contact a certified roofing contractor. Many contractors are employing technology in pinpointing leaks. The use of infrared cameras in attic spaces helps in locating those small leaks enabling the homeowner to take care of the problem before further damage occurs.

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems are a little more difficult for the homeowner to detect before more major problems bring it to the owner?s attention. The answer lies in routine maintenance and a simple trick. First, turn off all water both indoors and out doors. Go to the water meter and make note where the ?sweep hand? or ?one foot hand? is on the meter. After about a half hour or more, check to see where that hand is on the meter. If there has been no water usage in that half hour, and the hand has moved, you have an undetected leak. After checking for dripping faucets and running toilets, it is time to consider a more ?internal? problem. Next, check under sinks and appliances which require water usage and rule out other simple low cost repairs, such as washing machine hose replacement. Discoloration or soft spots around tubs or in flooring may signal the time to call in a licensed plumbing contractor. Investing in water alarms or moisture detectors can prevent future problems from occurring. Inexpensive and easy to install, these alarms can be mounted in high risk areas on the floor or wall and go off at the detection of moisture. While they are beneficial, it is important to note that they are only helpful when the owner is home to hear the alarm sound. Whole house systems are also available which shut off the water supply when a leak is detected. A whole house leak detection system can be installed very affordably and can be very helpful to those who travel frequently.

Routine Maintenance

Most water damage can be prevented with either simple fixes or routine maintenance. Though it is easy to put off, going through a simple check list twice a year can save a home owner in time, hassle and expense. When it is time to call in the professionals, make sure find qualified, licensed professionals. 10best provides a business directory of certified professionals who have gone through a rigorous qualifying process which includes being in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and Arizona Registrar of Contractors. All professionals listed are current with license and insurance. We interview all of our licensed professionals as well as former clients to assure you get the very best.

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