How To Avoid Property Damage In Houston & Surrounding Areas

While it may not be hurricane season, Houston has its fair share of springtime floods. And no matter the season, you should always stay on top of routine maintenance tasks to avoid property damage. 

However, it’s not just flooding Houstonians need to worry about. Regular wear and tear, high humidity, and other factors can lead to severe and costly property damage.

Aside from avoiding expensive repairs, you can also prolong the life of your home or business and many of the appliances within. It’s when you let these fall by the wayside that what would be minor repairs become high price replacements.

This is why regular, preventive maintenance of your home or business can help you avoid property damage this spring. 

6 Things You Need To Do To Avoid Property Damage This Spring

Avoid property damage to your home or business this spring by following these steps. You can likely handle many items on the home maintenance to-do list yourself. However, if anything feels out of your wheelhouse, it’s important to call in reinforcements rather than avoid the situation – and, of course, keep PuroClean’s number – (713) 250-8800 – saved in your phone. We’ll be there, ready to help when you call.

Need help remediating damage to your home or business? Contact PuroClean today!

1. Recaulk Your Doors & Windows

Between the unseasonal warm days to the chilling cold we (sometimes) experience, structures in Houston properties are known to swell and shrink with the changes. 

While this can cause the unusual squeaks and other noises in your home or business, it’s not cause for alarm. But it is important to make sure water damage isn’t resulting in swelling doors, door frames, window frames, cabinets, etc. 

However, while many materials bounce back from swelling and shrinking, caulk is not on that list. In fact, springtime is prime time to recaulk all your windows and exterior doors.

Taking care of this maintenance task can help prevent water from leaking in after a strong rain. Otherwise, the small cracks can become major problems for your building’s structure along with water damage, mold, and more.

2. Trim Shrubs & Tree Branches Away From Your Property & Powerlines

Landscaping is great for aesthetics and promotes a healthier environment with air-cleaning plants. However, when shrubs and tree branches are too close to a building, it poses a risk.

This is why it’s important to keep shrubs and flower beds out of direct contact with your building. One reason is that termites live in soil and can transfer to your building, causing extensive damage. Plus, when watering plants that are too close to your building, the water can seep into your exterior walls and cause damage that may require professional remediation.

Furthermore, tree branches are at risk of falling on your home or business. Whether you trim your own branches or outsource the task, make sure all tree branches are trimmed so that they won’t fall on your roof or powerlines.

3. Clean Out Gutters

How are your gutters looking these days?

If you don’t know, then it’s a sign to grab a ladder and check them out. Or hire someone to do it for you. 

Gutters with clogs of leaves, debris, and water prevent them from doing their job. In turn, water can build up on or near your roof. This can result in slow leaks through your roof into your home. Or, even worse, it can make your property more susceptible to major damage during one of our springtime storms.

Moreover, ensure your gutters are securely attached to your building. This will allow them to collect and move water along. Plus, it helps to keep them in place in case of strong winds.

Don’t let a minor problem become a major disaster. Contact PuroClean today to remediate your property damage.

4. Inspect Roof For Leaks Or Other Damage

Roof leaks and other damage can start small, and can unfortunately be easy to miss – at first. 

Over time, these small leaks can cause massive damage to your home or business. Water damage from roof leaks can result in the roof collapsing, which could seriously injure or kill anyone inside. Additionally, residual damage in the form of mold and mildew is likely to occur. In turn, this can lead to serious health complications and deem your property unfit to live or work.

To protect your home or business, avoid property damage this spring by closely inspecting your roof. Look for leaks inside when it is raining. During or after a rainstorm, look for signs of water damage on all walls, ceilings, and floors.

Furthermore, if you suspect water damage or mold, contact PuroClean to inspect, identify, and remediate any damage.

5. Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance Tune-Ups

HVAC replacements can be expensive, and that is why it’s so important to keep up with your HVAC maintenance. 

This includes changing your filters regularly, keeping the outside unit free of dirt and debris, cleaning coils with a fin cleaning brush, and scheduling your annual tune-ups. Even letting a filter sit too long can prevent proper airflow from circulating. And what’s worse is the air that does circulate is full of dirt, dander, and other irritating contaminants. 

To prolong the work life of your HVAC unit, make an appointment for an HVAC technician to come out and inspect your machine. They can help you with minor maintenance and even show you how to do it yourself between yearly visits. This can save you a ton of money on repairs with preventive maintenance. Plus, you can put off purchasing a new unit until the HVAC completes its entire work life cycle.

6. Ensure Swales Divert Water Away From Your Property

You know those little ditches that surround your home or work building? They’re there for a reason, so don’t fill them in!

In fact, swales are necessary and can prevent major damage from occurring to your property. Without them, water may pond around the exterior walls of your building. This can cause extensive water damage to your exterior and interior walls, as well as flooring and any furniture in its path. 

Even worse, your building may take on severe foundation damage if swales are not intact. And without these drainage ditches properly in place, it’s unlikely that your insurance will cover the cost to fix.

PuroClean Of Northeast Houston-Beltway Is Your Solution To Avoiding Property Damage

If your home or business has experienced water, fire, smoke, biohazard, or any type of damage, then it’s time to make a call to your friends at PuroClean of Northeast Houston-Beltway.

The PuroClean team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year to serve the Houston community. We know that preserving your property is important to you but the steps to navigating recovery can be overwhelming.

Our expertise and experience are why we’re known as the “Paramedics of Property Damage”. When you need us, we’ll be there in a jiffy. Visit our website to learn more and give us a call at (713) 250-8800 to schedule an appointment.