Poorly built houses suffer from water damage most of the time. Water damage can reduce the appearance of a building, and sometimes the cost of repairing a damaged house can be more than the cost of building it. It is good to know how to prevent your house from water damage by following these types of I’d be discussing below.
Table of Contents
Ways To Protect Your Home from Water Damages
1. Regular House Inspection
The primary function of your roof is to keep water out of your home. Neglecting it could result in a slew of issues, the most serious of which is extensive water damage that could compromise the structure of your home. Most roofs have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, so it’s easy to believe that if yours is still usable, it’s fine. However, this is not always the case.
2. Roof Inspection
The roof is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of a home. It protects against natural elements such as dust, sunlight, and, of course, rain. As a result, if it is compromised, you may suffer serious damage not only to your home but also to your household items. Avoid waiting for the roof to leak before repairing it. Make it a habit to inspect it at least twice a year and to repair any damage as soon as possible.
It is critical to detect problems in your home that could lead to water damage before they become more serious. Windows, air vents, chimneys, and basements should all be inspected on a regular basis for leaks or cracks. Early detection will allow you to repair the problem before it causes serious or permanent water damage.
Roof shingles can be damaged by the climate, weather, and even nearby trees. Inspect your roof on a regular basis for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. Replacing any missing or damaged shingles is a quick and inexpensive project that can extend the life of your entire roof.
3. Windows And Doors Inspection
Water leakage is most common around windows and doors. If the space around window and door frames is not properly sealed, water can seep in. Don’t sit around waiting for a leak. Check the weatherstripping and seals around your windows and doors for wear.
This is especially common in older homes where the windows have lost their water tightness. If you notice that water is still leaking in even when the window is closed, don’t ignore it. Because it exposes your walls to excess water, this can cause water damage over time. If the damage is minor, you can either replace the windows or seal them.
Inspect the exterior of your doors and windows. Insulating foam sealant can be injected into any significant cracks that may exist between the house and the frame. Apply a fresh bead of caulking where the window meets the siding to stop additional leaks. On window and door frames, even a fresh coat of paint can prevent moisture from penetrating the wood.
4. Clean Your Gutters
It is crucial to keep gutters clear if you want to avoid water damage. Inadequate drainage can weaken the structure of your home, resulting in cracks and providing rainwater with an easy route to your basement and living room walls.
You might not be able to recall the last time you cleaned your gutters or downspouts. The time has come. Ideally, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year; if you live in a storm-prone area, you should do so even more frequently. In order to avoid sagging or overflowing gutters, wet leaves and branches that have been lodged in your drains by strong winds should be removed immediately. If neglected, nothing will shield your walls from water damage, rendering your drainage system useless.
5. Clean Your Chimney
Even though not every home has an old-style chimney, a chimney is a common place for water damage to occur in any home. As a rule, a chimney is not as weatherproof as, say, a door or a window, so any snow or water that accumulates inside could be harmful. Have a chimney cap installed to stop any extra water from leaking into your house to stop this from happening. If your chimney is part of an older home, you should regularly inspect it for brick cracks that need to be patched.
6. Paint Your Walls
Your home might not be adequately shielded by paint from severe harm, like flooding. Waterproof paint, on the other hand, can stop your walls from accumulating moisture, preventing cracks, mildew, and mould. It also forms a seal to protect against external water damage. Try to paint your walls with waterproof paint. Before repainting your house, make sure to repair any damage or cracks.
7. Investigate And Fix Leaks Promptly
Inspect your home right away if you discover any indications of a leak. Prepare for mould, mildew, dry rot, or even structural damage to your home if you choose to ignore moisture damage or put off necessary repairs.
Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance offers protection against sudden and unintentional damage. A typical homeowners insurance policy does not cover damage brought on by poor maintenance.
8. Redirect Runoff
Water runoff from your yard should be directed away from your home if it is at the bottom of a slope. If not, you most likely have issues with standing water close to your foundation. As a result, your foundation may become more exposed to erosion over time.
To direct runoff away from your home, a French drain might be an easy solution. A French drain can be installed with or without a pipe and is essentially just a gravel-filled trench. This solution could save you a lot of money on foundation repairs in the future for an average cost of $1000 to $1500.
Water damage isn’t just limited to rain. Leaking pipes and valves inside your home can cause problems just as severe as rainwater intrusion, but the protection of your home begins on the outside. Check that your roof, exterior walls, gutters, and landscaping are all functioning properly to keep your home high and dry.
9. Install Water Detection Devices
A water detector is a small electronic device that detects moisture and emits an alarm when its sensor comes into contact with it. Its main advantage is that it detects low moisture levels or slow leaks that are often overlooked. To avoid extensive damage and mold growth, place it near water heaters, sump pumps, washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets.
10. Maintain Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, you must inspect it on a regular basis to ensure that it is still in good working order. The discharge pipe must be inspected because it is responsible for pushing water away from your home. Always point it away from your home so that the water can drain into a suitable location, such as your lawn or garden. Aiming it back at your house defeats the purpose, so make sure you check your sump pump on a regular basis to protect your home from water damage.
10 Steps To Take After Water Damage
- Identify the problem.
- Fix the problem!
- Call your insurance company.
- Sort and assess your belongings.
- Go to a safe place.
- Drain all water.
- Start the drying process.
- Clean And repair.
- Beware of mold hazards.
- Call the professionals when necessary!
