Water damage is one of the most common culprits behind household property loss, but with a proactive approach, it’s possible to avoid this type of damage altogether. Curious what you can do to better protect your house from the structural and health hazards of water damage? The team at Kiser Construction shares a few simple, yet effective tips below.
1. Locate Your Water Main
If you don’t already know where your main water shutoff valve is, now is the time to locate it. Even a single pipe leak or rupture can result in severe water damage in just a matter of minutes, but knowing where your main shutoff valve is can help you avoid extensive water damage cleanup. Once you locate the valve, make sure everyone else in your house knows where it is, too.
2. Routinely Inspect for Plumbing Leaks
Even a minor pipe leak or a leaky faucet can cause considerable water damage over time. It makes sense, then, that you should inspect for plumbing leaks on a regular basis. Here’s what you’ll need to check:
● Examine the pipes beneath each sink in your home.
● Check around water-reliant appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine for signs of standing water or moisture. If your refrigerator has a water dispenser, check around that, too.
● Inspect around the toilets in your home for signs of excess water
● Examine any exposed pipes for signs of excess moisture and look for small puddles of water beneath those pipes.
● If you have an under-the-sink water filter, check to make sure all the hoses are secure and the return is securely fastened to the sink drain pipe.
3. Install and Maintain Your Gutters and Downspouts
Getting on the phone with a gutter contractor may be one of the best things you can do to protect your home from water damage. Because gutters and downspouts function to collect roof runoff and disperse water a safe distance away from your home’s foundation, they provide critical protection against structural water damage.
Without gutters and downspouts, precipitation runs directly off the eaves of your roof and lands dangerously close to your home’s foundation. Over time, water can penetrate the concrete, leading to structural shifts, foundation cracks, and other severe problems. If your house doesn’t currently feature these components, you should seriously consider scheduling gutter and downspout installation.
If you already have these protective components installed, make sure you’re maintaining them regularly. It doesn’t take long for leaves and other outdoor debris to accumulate inside your gutters. Unless you practice routine gutter cleaning, your gutters can clog and overflow, resulting in water accumulation around your foundation.
4. Inspect Your Roof Regularly
Your roof is one of your home’s most protective components, and it’s constantly being assaulted by the elements. If you’re serious about taking steps to protect your home and avoid water damage restoration, then it’s critical that you understand what kind of condition your roof is in. It doesn’t take more than a single severe storm to cause roof damage, and if you’re unaware of that damage, your home could end up in trouble.
If you can access your roof and you feel comfortable performing an inspection, take a look at your shingles or roof tiles. Make sure there are no loose, missing, or otherwise damaged pieces. You should also inspect for organic growths — lichen, algae, and moss primarily — since plant life can hold moisture against your roof.
Lastly, take a look at your roof flashings, soffit, and fascia. Make sure these components are fully intact and installed properly. If water can make its way into your attic, it can cause extensive damage that you may not be aware of until the problem grows severe.
Not sure which roofing red flags you should look for? Schedule a roof inspection with a qualified roofing company. A trained professional can alert you to potential issues and recommend the appropriate roof repairs.
Need Water Damage Cleanup? Contact Kiser Construction
If your home has suffered water damage, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Kiser Construction for help. We specialize in household restoration after flooding, fires, and storms, and our compassionate team will work with your insurance company to ensure you get the coverage you deserve. To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, call our Elk River, MN office today at 763-633-2010 or contact us online.
If your home recently suffered storm, water, or fire damage and you require emergency restoration services, please call us on our 24/7 emergency line at 612-518-8852.