Water damage is one of the hardest problems to fix in a home, which is why the focus should always be to prevent it in the first place. Luckily, most signs of it can be seen in advance if you know where to look.
Today, you will know the most common ways to prevent water damage from ever affecting your home, or at least, where you should pay attention to see this problem coming from a mile away, allowing you to take action before it’s too late.
It’s worth mentioning that water damage restoration is possible, but it is much more time consuming and troublesome if things get out of hand. If you’re surprised by the issue and seek out a service immediately, there’s still time to save it.
“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." – Robert H. Schuller
Clean your gutters
A very common cause for water damage is clogged gutters. Might seem like a minor problem on the surface, but not allowing water to properly drain can seriously damage your home, starting from the roof, affecting the siding, and ultimately creating huge foundation problems.
What usually happens is that water cannot leave the gutters, so it sits and leaks all over the place. This problem alone can damage your exterior paint and lead water inside the roofing structure (which in turn pushes them inside your home).
Related to the issue, one of the worst problems are ice dams. During the winter, this water that never goes down will freeze and put a lot of weight on the edges of your roof. If this causes the gutters or roof to break, it can be a massive liability, as well as damage nearby structures and vehicles.
Interior signs of water damage
It’s worth mentioning that if you see any signs of water damage from the inside of your home, then you should look for water damage services immediately. This means it has already damaged your home to an extent and you can’t allow it to get worse. Roof leaks are not to be taken lightly.
Some of the most common signs of water damage are:
- Bubbling or cracked paint
- Discoloration on walls and ceilings
- Damp and musty smell inside certain rooms
- Mold growth
- Dripping or running water sound from inside walls or attic
When you notice any of these problems, I highly recommend calling a plumber to locate the source of the problem before it gets worse, and a water remediation company to fix the damages.
Keep an eye on the water bill
A high water bill is a very important sign that something is wrong. A sudden increase in cost can indicate a burst pipe, leaky faucet, or something of that nature somewhere in your property.
Even a relatively small increase can be a sign of trouble. If you ever notice something like a 10% increase, it might be worth calling a certified plumber for an inspection just to be sure. It could be nothing, but if you have a leaky pipe somewhere, it’s better to know sooner rather than later.
Landscaping
An often overlooked aspect that can be optimized to prevent water damage and having to deal with flood cleanup involves your landscaping water drainage. This is especially true if the area you live is prone to having floods, either due to weather conditions or location.
But even if neither is the case, your home benefits greatly from having proper water drainage. This prevents water from pooling outside your foundation, over flower beds, on your lawn or on concrete sidewalks and driveways where it would otherwise be absorbed, leading to many issues. Your lawn and garden would suffer due to excessive watering, and your structures would be compromised.
Keep in mind: Flood restoration is possible, but difficult and costly, so the best course of action is to do everything you can to either prevent or minimize any damage.
Outdoor pipes
A leaky pipe outdoors can be found by noticing either unusually moist sand or lawn, or even pooling water on certain spots. A burst pipe will make itself more noticeable right away, making it hard to miss.
A common way that pipes burst also involves the winter frost – still water inside the pipes or faucets can freeze (which contracts) and then thaw (which expands) and could lead to serious damage. But even if the pipe never bursts, it will still waste tons of water and cause direct problems in your lawn, garden, and nearby structures.
Are you struggling with water damage? Get free quotes from a water damage restoration company in your area today!
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