Tips to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

Even a small amount of water can cause considerable damage to your home. When water finds its way into your property through the roof, basement, a leaky pipe, or an old water heater, the result is often extensive water damage and mold growth. Thus, knowing how to spot trouble areas to prevent water damage in your home is critical.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), about 1 in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. The average American uses between 80–100 gallons of water a day, so it’s no wonder that some of it goes astray and leads to water damage.

While homeowners’ insurance covers many losses, it doesn’t cover all of them. And, most of the time, these problems require professional water damage restoration services. A better solution, however, is to prevent water damage from occurring in the first place!

Take a few steps to avoid going through the heartache (and wallet-ache) of experiencing water damage. Check out these common scenarios and tips on how to prevent water damage in your home.

Washing Machine Hoses

Incoming washing machine hoses are one of the most common sources of flood water damage in a residence. One broken hose can release a tremendous amount of water in just a few hours.

Furthermore, the hose is under constant pressure 24/7; inevitably, it will weaken and burst over time. Granted, the water comes from a clean source, but it flows everywhere when it bursts.

The best way to prevent water damage from washing machine is to turn the hose valves on and off as you start and finish washing clothes.

Also, replace the hoses every five years as manufacturers commonly recommend. Choose wire-braided, high-pressure hoses over standard hoses. You can get them at almost any hardware supply store. It’s not a question of “if” but “when” a hose will burst. So, replace them on time!

How to Prevent Water Damage from Toilet Tanks

A leaky toilet can waste as much as 100 gallons of water each day. Test your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, then watch for a few minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Repair your toilet, and it will save you time, money, and heartache from unnecessary potential water damage.

Other Appliances and Fixtures

The next step in learning how to prevent water damage is maintaining appliances and fixtures that use water. Continual, slow leaks can migrate under vinyl, stone, and other floorings without notice. Keep in mind that a homeowners’ insurance policy often doesn’t cover water damage that occurs over an extended period due to poor maintenance.

So, move the refrigerator and other appliances and regularly check for any damage or signs of a leak. Check water line connections attached to the dishwasher, ice maker, reverse osmosis line or any other water line. Also, leave a gap of three to four inches between the unit and the wall. Here’s another idea: don’t run appliance cycles when going to sleep or leaving home.

Inspect your home for leaks in areas such as ceilings, under pipes inside sink cabinets, or around sinks and toilets. Get under the sink and feel the lines for moisture. Look on the cabinet’s deck for any drips that are collecting or for signs of wet/damaged materials. Immediately fix water leaks and replaced damaged hoses to prevent water damage and mold growth.

Ice Dams

Ice dams can cause water to enter a house due to several factors. The space from the eve of a roof to the exterior wall is called the soffit. It is the outside perimeter area that overhangs and protects the walls from water when it rains.

When insulation in the attic does not reach the exterior wall, the heat inside the home in the winter goes from the interior of the house to the attic. Close to this area of heat loss is the actual roof and a little heat from this situation (improper insulation) can melt snow on the roof, which then runs into the gutter.

At night or other times of colder temperatures, the melted snow refreezes, forming ice in the gutter. Once the gutter is full, the ice begins to dam and then refreeze. If left unchecked, this ice dam builds back up the slope of the roof. In time, the freezing/melting ice can actually penetrate under the shingles and sheathing, and into the attic and even make its way to the living area.

Water damage then appears on the ceilings of the rooms under this area. Again, this is a maintenance/construction issue, and a homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover these water damage repairs.

How to Prevent Water Damage from Ice Dams

Ice dams take form when warm air in the attic heats the roof and melts the snow on the roof. The melted snow collects on unheated eaves and starts freezing, creating ice dams. If you don’t prevent or remove ice dams, the result will be winter water damage to your roof and home.

• Have your gutters and downspouts cleaned, inspected, and repaired before the snow starts to settle. Doing this ensures that water will flow unobstructed in your drain system.
• Insulate your attic properly — heat within the home should not reach the attic. Warm air can melt the snow on the roof, which refreezes, forming ice dams. Make sure the attic floor is airtight by sealing any openings.
• Provide enough ventilation to the attic to keep the roof cool. Warm air should escape through vents near the top of the attic. Cold air should flow in through vents near the eaves. The temperature in the attic should only be 5 to 10 °F warmer than the outside temperature in the winter.
• Remove the snow from your roof when it’s about six inches deep. Use a roof rake or a long-handled brush carefully to remove the snow without a ladder.
• Install a water membrane underneath the roof shingles. It helps prevent water from seeping in.
• Install a snow shield to prevent leaks. The shield goes under the shingles, starting from the low edge of the roof and extending up at least three feet inside the exterior wall of the house.
• Install gutter screens to help keep out the debris that causes build-up and damage.

Prevent Frozen Pipes and Pipe Bursts

Pipes in the crawl space, outside walls, and in the attic are vulnerable to freezing and bursting in cold temperatures.

• Seal up all cracks, holes, and openings in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulk.
• Insulate water pipes in unheated areas, such as the crawl space, basement, garage, attic, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Wrap them in insulating materials such as foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves.
• Faucets that connect to pipes in unheated spaces are prone to freezing. Let cold water drip from the faucets served by exposed pipes. Running even a trickle of water through pipes helps prevent them from freezing.
• Allow warmer air to circulate the plumbing when outside temperatures drop below 32°F by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. Move the products stored in these cabinets up, out of the reach of children and pets.
• Set the thermostat to the same temperature during the day and at night. Your heating costs may rise, but you’ll prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• If you’re leaving home for more than two days, leave the heat on in your home. Set the temperature to no lower than 55°F. Shut off the water supply and drain pipes and appliances that use water. Also, have someone you trust check your home at least once per week.
• If a pipe bursts, shut off the water supply to your home immediately.

Prevent ‘Spring Thaw’ Water Damage

Melting snow and ice can enter your home through the roof or foundation when spring arrives. Follow these winter tips below to prevent water damage caused by ‘Spring Thaw’.

• Regularly remove the snow from your roof.
• Heavy snow on roofs can cause ice dams, which can create structural damage to the roof.
• Remove the snow from the roof when it’s at least 6 inches deep.
• If possible, stay on the ground to shovel the snow off the roof. Otherwise, hire a professional.
• Shovel snow away from the foundation of your home to prevent water from seeping into the foundation.
• Keep sewer grates clear of snow and debris to allow melted snow to flow unobstructed.
• Check your basement often for water leaks from sewer drains. Make sure the basement floor, walls, windows, and doors are properly sealed.
• If you have a basement, test your sump pump frequently.

Other Tips on How to Prevent Water Damage

• Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts. If there are leaves, sticks, debris, or bird nests in your gutters, water could overflow onto the side of your house. In your gutter cleaning routine, check for cracks or sagging and have them repaired right away.
• Make sure downspouts extend at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation. The ground around the foundation should also be sloped at least six inches over a 10-foot span away from the house to avoid basement flooding.
• Have your roof annually checked for cracked or missing shingles, deteriorated flashing, pooling water, and missing granules.
• Install a sump pump with a battery backup system. Maintain and test the sump pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions and remove any debris that may block the water inlet screen. Replace batteries every two to three years.
• Install back flow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, sinks, and toilets. These mechanisms automatically prevent sewage from backing up into your home.
• Never pour grease down the sink as it can cling to pipes and cause blockage, even if you rinse the drain with hot water afterward. The best way to get rid of grease is to pour it into an empty jar, refrigerate it, then discard it into the trash.
• If your water bill is unusually high, and you don’t know why, this may be a sign that pipes are leaking in your home. In this case, hire a professional plumber to detect and repair leaks or damaged pipes.
• Turn off the water supply valve when going on vacation. Ensure you can turn on/off all the supply valves when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Prevent Water Damage

What are the most common causes of water damage in homes?
Water damage often comes from leaking pipes, roof leaks, clogged gutters, faulty appliances, or poor drainage systems. Regular inspections and maintenance are key to help prevent water damage before it becomes a costly issue.

How can I prevent water damage from plumbing leaks?
To prevent water damage from plumbing leaks, check for dripping faucets, monitor your water bill for sudden increases, and inspect under sinks and around toilets regularly. Replacing old pipes and installing water leak detectors can also provide early warnings.

Does regular roof maintenance help prevent water damage?
Yes, inspecting and maintaining your roof is one of the best ways to prevent water damage. Look for missing shingles, damaged flashing, and blocked gutters that could allow water to seep into your attic or walls during heavy rainfall.

How can I prevent water damage in my basement?
To prevent water damage in your basement, ensure proper grading around your home, seal any foundation cracks, install a sump pump, and keep gutters and downspouts clear to direct water away from your foundation.

What should I do immediately if I notice signs of water damage?
If you spot water stains, damp walls, or musty smells, act fast to prevent water damage from spreading. Shut off the main water supply, remove standing water, and contact a professional restoration company to assess and repair the problem before it worsens.

For Water Damage Restoration, Call the PuroClean Disaster Restoration Experts

As you can see, there are many ways that water can damage your home. Follow these preventive steps to avoid dealing with water damage claims in your home. However, if water has still affected any of your belongings, you will need professional restoration services. For emergency flood repair and water removal services, contact us.