Water damage can affect you in several ways. First, it can cause emotional, physical, and financial strain on any homeowner.

Here to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from such occurrences, here are essential preventive tips to protect your home from water damage and flooding.

Clean the gutters and roof

Any leaks or moist spots on the ceiling can be an alarming sign. In addition, it could indicate a problem with your drains and gutters that can cause backup and severe flooding.

Keep your drains in check. Ensure you get them cleaned regularly and conduct an annual inspection on your property to ensure no water leakages.

Moreover, make sure to plant trees and vegetative away from the house. Tree roots are the biggest enemy of drain pipes. They can cause severe blockages and even break the sewage lines.

In case of cracks or leaks, have them fixed on time. Over time and with changing seasons, rainwater can seep in, causing further destruction.

Install the sump pump

If you don’t have one, get a sump pump immediately. It is like your last line of defense against water damage.

In case of flooding, the sump pump gets into action and starts dumping water out of the basement preventing damage.

Sometimes, the sump pumps develop a fault or may not work due to tipping over. Check your pump. You can see if it’s working by pouring water onto the pit.

If it’s faulty, get it fixed as soon as possible.

Install automatic shut-off valves

Use technology to your advantage where you can. For example, you can install moisture detectors on the pipelines to monitor leakages and install Automatic shut-off Valves by the water heaters, washing machines, main supply lines, and other places.

One of the most effective ways to prevent water damage on vacation is to shut off the main water supply. A sudden drop in temperature or damage to your plumbing system can result in leaky or burst pipes. Turning off the water supply reduces the risk of severe water damage while you’re away.

Here are the simple steps to shutting off the main water supply before going on vacation:

• Locate the main water shutoff valve: This is typically found near the water meter and is a round or lever-style handle. It may be located inside the home or garage in colder climates to prevent freezing. The valve could be outside the house, on an exterior wall in warmer regions.
• Turn off the valve: If it’s a round handle, turn it clockwise (right) until it stops. If it’s a lever handle, turn it perpendicular to the pipe.

Caulk all cracks

Check your basement for any leakages and caulk all cracks. Then, call the experts to inspect the area to find the causes of leaks and fix them.

A flooded basement is an absolute horror and, unfortunately, quite common. Ensure you close and fill in all the gaps in the windows and walls, especially during winter.

Also, fix the cracks to prevent water from seeping through the walls or windows.

Shut off the main supply when leaving on vacation

If you plan to vacation, turn off the main supply lines. Also, drain and shut off the hoses to the water sprinkler system. This way, when no water flows through the lines, there are fewer chances of finding leaky or burst pipes on your return.

The takeaway

Water damage from floods and other natural disasters can’t be avoided. But you can always make efforts to try and restore what you can of your property.

Furthermore, a few preventive steps can help minimize the damage and your losses in sudden emergencies.

But if you ever find your home flooded or the beginning signs of water damage, call the experts. Our specialists are always there to help you with inspections, locating leaks, mold, water damage, and related water damage restoration work.

Call our team today, and our staff will be more than happy to assist you.