Water damage is a common problem to homeowners, especially if the house is too old or in need of improvement. While water damage is sometimes inevitable, there is still a higher chance it can be prevented. The moment you realize something’s wrong with your plumbing that none of those DIY tricks can fix, call a professional before it causes more problems.
Problems caused by water damage vary. Wall discoloring is minor damage, but it can lead to more severe issues, such as bursting pipes or foundation cracks. This is why maintaining your water utilities is better than fixing the damage.
Table of Contents
1. Clear and unclog your drains
Cleaning your drains is the most basic and uncostly way to prevent any water damage inside your home. Go around your house and check every drain and make sure none of them are clogged. Remove hair or dirt as soon as you notice them.
If you find waste trapped in your drains, unclog them right away. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. You can use a home remedy by making vinegar and baking soda mixture, pouring it down, and letting it sit for a while.
2. Make sure the showers, sinks, and toilets drain quickly
Cleaning doesn’t always mean maintaining. If you notice that the sinks, showers, or toilets are not quickly draining, there must be something wrong with the plumbing. Perform DIY tasks to unclog the drains. Aside from vinegar and baking soda, you can also use the hot water flushing method.
If home remedies still don’t work and your drain is slow and gargling, better seek professional drain cleaning services. This way, professionals will help you inspect if there are further problems they can fix right away.
If you find your indoor pipes frozen, you can use a hairdryer to melt the ice. But be careful not to expose it to too much heat, or it will cause further damage.
3. Be mindful of how much water you use
Watching the way and how much you use water at home can be a disciplinary action that helps prevent water damage and save water. Also, check your water pressure. If the water pressure is set too high, it can lead to costly damage. Pipes and hoses may burst and fall dysfunctional.
Find out the normal residential water pressure, which is 30 to 80 PSI, and why water pressure is essential. If the water pressure in your home uncontrollably exceeds, consider installing a pressure regulator available in local hardware stores.
4. Calculate your water bill
Your water bill can be an indicator when you’re looking for water leaks. If you notice your water bill abruptly increases the following month, then you must investigate at once.
5. Reseal or insulate your basement
The basement is typically where drains and crawlspace are exposed to cold temperatures. Cracks in the foundation or floor slabs often cause floods. If you notice water leakage after rain, it can be a sign that your cement floors and basement walls have been compromised. Painting your basement walls can be a good way of preventing water damage.
6. Be aware of your water pipe plan
Know where to find the water main, where it also supplied overall water to the house. From there, water is distributed through connected pipes. If you have a plumbing emergency in your home, such as leaks and frozen pipes, knowing where to find the main water shutoff will make it easier for you to turn off the water and prevent further damage.
Also, if you’re planning on not being home for a long time, professionals recommend shutting off your water main to make sure that there’d be no water damage in the house while you’re away.
If you notice that the pipes outside your house are frozen, you can use hot salt water or hot water with a de-icing solution to help clear the pipeline.
7. Clean up the gutters and downspouts
Gutters safely manage storm or rainwater to protect your house from water damage. They help preserve your yard.
At least twice a year, clean your gutters to avoid blockage and ice dams. When pipes are blocked, water can cause damage to your roof and gutters. This then can lead to overflow and unwanted puddles, which can damage the house’s foundation. Clean and secure any downspouts to make sure water flows through smoothly.
8. Disconnect the hoses
Disconnect hoses from their faucets. Water in hoses can cause freeze back to the pipe and lead to pipe blockage. It can worsen when your pipes burst and cause damage to your floors, walls, and even your house’s foundation.
Water damage can worsen if you don’t do simple household maintenance. Ignoring minor problems can lead to worse disasters, such as outdoor water leaks can cause ice blockage and make the pipes burst. That’s why having it checked every seasonal change is always better than waiting for further damage. Worry about your money then.