How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage: Essential Tips

Water damage is one of the most costly problems that a person may ever encounter as a homeowner. The cost of fixing water damage in a residential property can easily run into thousands of dollars. The good news is that most instances of water damage are avoidable with proper maintenance habits and a little planning!

Start with Your Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts

The roof is your home’s main defense against inclement weather. Cracked or missing shingles can cause water to seep into your attic and walls long before you see any signs of damage inside your home. Inspect your roof twice a year, especially after a bad storm.

Gutters and downspouts are just as critical as your roof. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris, water will overflow into your yard, collecting around your foundation – one of the leading causes of basement flooding.

Monitor Your Indoor Plumbing

The effects of slow leaks can be just as destructive as those caused by fast ones. A dripping pipe hidden behind a wall can go unnoticed for months, silently destroying wood and promoting mold growth. Inspect your indoor plumbing regularly, especially under sinks and around toilets.

You should also take a closer look at your water heater. The lifespan of an average water heater is 8 to 12 years. Old water heaters often rust and leak. It is also important that you look at your washing machine hoses as these often cause water damage. It is advisable that you replace your rubber hoses with braided steel hoses, and check reguarly.

Improve Your Landscaping and Foundation Drainage

The land around your property should always be sloping away from your foundation. This way, rainwater will always be draining away from your foundation and not towards it. However, as time goes by, this land may settle and cause depressions that will cause rainwater to flow towards your foundation.

If your property is often flooded during rainstorms, then it is advisable that you consider French drains installation in OKC. The French drain is a form of drainage system that is installed by placing a pipe with holes in it into a gravel-filled trench. The pipe is supposed to help direct water away from your foundation. This is an inexpensive measure that will go a long way towards helping you avoid flooding.

Install Smart Water Leak Detectors

The smart home revolution has ensured that you do not have to deal with expensive repairs. This has been made possible through smart water leak detectors. The smart water leak detectors are installed near your appliances, water heater, and also under your sinks. The devices will then send you a message through your phone as soon as they detect moisture. There is also another type of smart leak detector that has been designed to shut off your water supply when it detects moisture somewhere in your house.

If the property is old or has had a long history of issues with water leaking, then this device should be installed. It gives peace of mind, especially if the property is not in use.

Regular Maintenance is Your Best Investment

There is no solution that can perfectly protect your property against all kinds of water damage. The solution is to stick with your regular maintenance routine. The more proactive you are with your property, the better protected it is against all kinds of problems!