Water damage is a common problem that every homeowner fears. No one wants to see their house flooded due to heavy rainstorms, floods, pipe leaks, and pipe bursts. Unfortunately, these factors severely damage your walls, basement, ceilings, furniture, and home appliances! Besides being dangerous, water damage can also be costly to repair.

Water damage is unexpected and can happen anytime, especially in winter and rainy seasons. Instead of fixing the consequences of water damage, it is better to prevent it. Preventing water damage from ruining your house and furniture is the best way to keep everything safe.

This post will share some tried and tested water damage prevention tips every homeowner should follow. But first, let’s make you understand the severity of water damage. Read on!

Problems caused by water damage

Water damage is a huge problem and the root cause of various other issues. Here are some of the most significant problems caused by water damage:

Property damage

Property damage is the most costly issue caused by water damage and is also the most common one. Water from floods or pipe leaks can easily seep into your walls and ceilings and damage them from the inside. It can cause them to lose their strength and collapse. Collapsing of structure can be extremely dangerous and fatal. Your basement and attic can also get flooded, damaging your furniture and home even more.

Health issues

Water damage does not only affect your property, but it can be bad for your health as well. As we all know, water from sewers and floods is highly contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses. This bacteria can grow if your house is affected by water damage and causes various health issues such as skin diseases, asthma, sinus blocking, and many other diseases. You can also become the victim of intestinal infections.

Mold and mildew growth

Walls soaked with water will experience mold formation that will intensely grow over time. Besides damaging your property, mold and mildew growth can cause several health issues. The most common problems are skin irritation and respiratory diseases. The more the mold spreads, the more challenging and costly the removal.

Damage to electrical supplies

Everyone knows that water and electrical sockets don’t go well together. Unfortunately, this dangerous combination is bound to happen when you experience water damage. The leaking water can quickly enter your electrical outlets, appliances, and other supplies. As a result, the machines will instantly break or malfunction. The electrical outlets might even short circuit, resulting in a fire hazard or explosion.

Ways to prevent water damage

Now that you know all the dangers, let’s discuss how to prevent water damage from affecting your house. Here are some most effective and convenient tips:

Constantly check for leaks

Leaking pipes are a significant cause of water damage, but you can prevent them if you regularly check around your house for leaks and damaged pipes. Unfortunately, most leaks are undetected and cause severe water damage over time. Even if people notice the leak, they ignore it without realizing its complications. Even the tiniest leaks could drip up to 57 gallons of water per week, increasing your water bills and destroying your home’s structure. So you should always look for leaks and call a plumber to get it fixed if you ever find one.

Clean your gutters

Blocked gutters can also cause pipe bursts and leaks, so you must clean them regularly. Most people think leaves are the main reason for blocking gutters, but moss, pebbles, and tiny stones are also significant culprits blocking drains. Block gutters can also overflow; the water can quickly get into homes and damage the structure. It is a sign of a blockage if you ever see sagging gutters. It would be best if you considered calling professionals without waiting.

Install water leak detectors

Water leak detectors are one of the most valuable inventions of all time. These reasonably-priced devices alert you whenever there is a leak in your home. These devices can be life savers as they will immediately alert you, and you will have enough time to take action before any damage occurs. You can install these devices around your pipes, basement, attic, kitchen sinks, bathroom, and toilets.

Shut the main water supply before leaving

This may seem unnecessary to some people, but shutting off your water supply before leaving the house also helps prevent water damage. If you are going out for a long time or on a trip for a few days, turn off your main water valve before leaving. This stops the flow of water within your pipes, so if there are any unnoticed leaks, they will not cause any damage to your home while you are away. The same goes for your electricity supply. You should turn off your main electricity supply, so the water does not contact any electrical outlets.

Prevent frozen pipes

Frozen pipes are the most significant cause of water damage in houses. When the water in pipes freezes, it can block other water from flowing through the pipes. It can also result in pipe bursts and leaks. The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to install a proper pipe insulation system to keep your pipes warm and prevent the water from freezing. Also, keep your thermostat temperature above 55℉ or 13℃ at all times.

Takeaway

Water damage is a hazardous and worrying problem, but if you stay alert and follow all the prevention steps, you will have nothing to worry about. Whether it is from rain, pipe bursts, leaks, or clogs, these steps will keep you safe from any source of water damage.

If you ever experience water damage problems, call Santa Clara restoration experts for the rescue. Our experts have a team of skilled and professional technicians and plumbers with several years of experience fixing water damage problems. Our professionals are here to help you with anything from property damage to mold growth.