Most homes regularly experience water damage and frequently strive to prevent it. Some people might not see it initially because it usually starts small. However, if water damage is not addressed, it can easily result in much more severe harm to your house, necessitating more expensive repairs or even replacement.
Remember that not all natural disasters, such as floods, persistent rain, or hurricanes, cause water damage. It often starts due to clogged gutters, minor pipe holes, or improperly graded soil, which can be easily corrected when discovered beforehand. However, ignoring even a tiny amount of water can result in expensive damage, mold growth, or moist walls.
Homeowners must spot any issues early for this reason. However, you can hire a professional property manager to assist with maintenance procedures. Journey with us as we discuss how to prevent water damage and what insurance covers in case of damage.
How to Prevent Water Damage In Your Home This Fall
1. Inspection of Your Roof
Leaky roofs are one of the most well-known causes of water damage. Your roof might leak for a variety of reasons. Defective roofing materials, improper installation, missing shingles, broken gutters, or unavoidable natural events like powerful storms and winds could all be blamed. You must periodically inspect your roof because of this. Unfortunately, your roof is the only part of your home that cannot be easily seen unless you purposefully check it with a ladder.
Roof issues frequently begin small and go unnoticed until it’s too late. Some may even go undetected until your attic is wholly flooded, or you may see thick moss growing on your roof, ceiling, or walls. The time it takes to conduct significant roof repairs and replacements, as well as their high cost, can interfere with your everyday activities. Furthermore, inspecting your roof can also serve as a safety measure to winterize your rental property this fall.
The easiest way to avoid water damage, roof repair, and associated costs is to inspect your roof regularly.
2. Check for Areas of Mold and Growth
When mold or moss growth is noticeable in your wallpaper, ceiling, or painting, it is another clear symptom of water damage. They frequently leave a dark, damp mark on your walls and have a musty odor, making the interiors of your home unpleasant to live in. As a result, you must spot mold or mildew growth as soon as possible. When you do, be sure to identify the primary moisture source and have it corrected as quickly as you can. You can also hire a professional to resolve your plumbing issues in no time to avoid more damage to your property.
3. Installing a Water Detection Device
Even though your home appears in decent condition, it is always advisable to be proactive in checking for leaks. Minor leaks can go unnoticed for an extended period, only to become apparent when the damage increases. Therefore, inspecting your equipment, such as dishwashers or washing machines, is essential for any indications of astray water. You can also check the bottoms of your sinks for any potential tiny leaks.
Installing a water detection system in your home will significantly facilitate your search for water leaks. This device has an alert that sounds if it notices any dampness. You can put this close to your sinks, toilets, and sump pumps. When the gadget detects any indications of a leak, it immediately cuts off the main water supply, protecting your property from further harm.
4. Keeping your gutters clear
Aside from existing concealed water pipes, your gutters and drains collect water from your roof and direct it away from the foundation. Unlike some other pipe systems, gutter and downspouts are placed on the exterior, making them easy to maintain.
You must keep them free of garbage and anything that could obstruct the path of the running water. For example, clogged gutters allow water to flow toward your home, causing foundation damage. Water will also most likely run towards your roof, causing roof leaks. As a result, be sure to empty your downspouts and gutters at least twice per year.
5. Inspection of your sprinkler system
Although winter has not yet arrived, now is the ideal time to set up your sprinkler system before the cold weather arrives. To winterize your underground sprinklers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you hold off on this process and a rupture were to occur, a crack in the main line caused by freezing might damage the house’s foundation and result in basement flooding.
What Does Insurance Cover In Case of Emergency?
The fix for your floors, drywall, electrical, or heating systems is nearly always the ultimate consequence of water damage to your property. However, whether or not the homeowners’ insurance company likely does the damage depends on what caused it.
However, insurance companies frequently pay for damage to the property, such as furniture, wall, or flooring damage, but they do not typically pay for pipe repair costs. Here are some crucial guidelines to keep in mind:
- Recognize your policy: Every company and policy may have a distinct range of coverage exclusions and limits, including those for water damage. So, the best method to determine whether you are protected is to review the policy thoroughly and contact your insurance agent with any inquiries.
- Avoid being careless: No matter what insurance company landlords have, losses brought on by negligence are unlikely to be compensated. So, take all essential precautions to prevent or lessen the effects of any damage brought on by burst pipes.
Conclusion
There are several ways that water damage can be terrible for your property. Significant structural components of your home can become weak, even from the tiniest amount of leakage. Using these preventative measures, you can prevent water damage from ever happening in your house.
Don’t hesitate to contact your property management company right away if you see any small leaks or damage to the pipes. However, remember that the best course of action is to go on the defensive and solve a possible issue as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, water damage is just one of many devastating issues that could ruin your home. It is important to stay on top of every urgent repair, and the following infographic can help you identify issues that need to be addressed right away.
Provided by Air Mechanical – plumbing contractor
