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3 Smart Practices To Avoid The High Costs Of Water Damage
A study shows that 37% of homeowners in the US have suffered losses from water damage. Furthermore, around 14,000 Americans face a water damage emergency every day, and the average home insurance claim for these reaches up to $10,234. Each year, the costs for water damage and removal reach up to $13 billion.
Water damage can happen to anyone at any time, leaving homeowners with costly repairs. Unfortunately, not a lot of families have invested in measures to protect their properties against this. Many residential homes and buildings have fire alarms and smoke detectors as protection against fire damage, but there seems to be less attention when it comes to water or flood damage.
If you are guilty of this, fret not! You can still preserve your property and avoid the high costs of water damage. Read the tips in the sections below to start safeguarding your home.
1. Perform Regular Maintenance On Your Plumbing Systems
It can be easy to neglect your plumbing system as most of them lie in places you can’t see. Moreover, since they are hidden, it can be tricky to detect early signs of water damage. This is why you must have it regularly checked.
Professional plumbers have the right tools to inspect your pipes properly for any signs of a leak. Aside from the pipes that lie hidden or underground, they also check the pipes leading to your water heater, dishwasher, and other appliances for a thorough inspection.
For your part, you must always be on the lookout for mold or mildew growth. You may not see the source of leak directly, but such growth indicates that there is a water source nearby. As soon as you see this, contact local professionals.
Moreover, shut off the water source to avoid the possibility of leaks if you will be away for a few days.
2. Check All Possible Entry Points for Water
Your plumbing system isn’t the only source of water in your home. It can also enter through faulty downspouts, worn-out roofs, and improperly installed windows and doors.
If you are seeing signs of mold growth but your plumbing system is in good condition, the water damage may be caused by these other entry points. Considering this, you must examine your doors, windows, skylights, and roofs next. Check whether the first three are installed properly—they must not have gaps where water can easily seep through.
Inspect your roof regularly and have damaged shingles repaired immediately. Lastly, clean your gutters and get rid of leaves, stems, and other debris that may have accumulated in it.
3. Safeguard Important Documents and Items
After accomplishing the first tasks mentioned above, it is time to work on securing your valuable items and documents. You may not have had to face water emergencies before, but it is still better to be safe than sorry. You never know when one of your pipes will burst or when a storm will come and flood your home.
Rather than being overconfident, it’s a smart idea to store your valuable items, important documents, and other valuables in a waterproof container. Keep these containers away from your plumbing pipes in the basement or other water sources.
Conclusion
Following the three practices mentioned above is a great way to get started in protecting your home against water damage. Moreover, you can install a water sensor for added protection. They act like fire alarms and notify you when they detect water leakage. Having such a system informs you of any issue and enables you to act on it right away.
If water has already penetrated your home, you must get in touch with water damage restoration companies in your area right away. They have high-performance tools and follow effective procedures to quickly remove water from your home and contain the damage.
Master Restoration is the trusted name when it comes to water damage restoration service in Boise, ID. We work with your insurance company directly and give you a complete disaster cleanup solution, 24/7. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help you make your home whole again.