Water Damage Prevention Tips

Even a small amount of water can cause significant damage to a home or property. Often times, water that found its way into the attic, basement or other area of a property will result in water damage and mould growth. Professional water damage restoration services are usually required to eliminate these problems. However, water damage can be prevented by following a number of rules:

• Cleaning and maintaining the gutters and downspouts — if there are leaves, sticks, debris or bird’s nests in the gutters, water may overflow onto the side of the house. Gutters should be checked for cracks or sagging, as well.
• Downspouts should extend at least 3 meters away from the foundation of the house. The ground around the foundation should also be sloped at least 15 centimeters over a 3 meter span away from the house, to avoid basement flooding.
• The roof should be checked annually for cracked or missing shingles, deteriorated flashing, pooling water or missing granules. To prevent ice dams in freezing weather, the attic should be insulated to prevent it from heating up.
• Installing a sump pump with a battery backup system — the sump pump must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Debris that may be blocking the water inlet screen should be removed. Batteries should usually be replaced every 2 to 3 years.
• Installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, sinks and toilets —these mechanisms automatically prevent sewage from backing up into the home.
• Pouring grease down the sink should be avoided, as it can cling to pipes and cause blockage, even if the drain is rinsed with hot water afterwards. The best way to get rid of grease is to pour it into an empty jar, refrigerate it, then discard it into the trash.
• Routinely checking the home for leaks in areas such as ceilings, under pipes inside sink cabinets, or around sinks and toilets — water leaks must be immediately fixed to prevent serious water damage and mould growth.
• If the water bill is unusually high, this may be a sign that some pipes are leaking in the home. In this case, a professional plumber should be hired to detect and repair damaged pipes.
• The water supply should be turned off when going on vacation.
• Appliances that use water should not be operated when going to sleep or leaving the home.
• The water supply hoses of the washing machine, dishwasher, etc. should be inspected twice a year.

Homes and properties can suffer water damage in many ways. Paying attention to leaks and maintaining the roof, gutters, basement and plumbing system are essential to preventing property water damage. The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water or mould damage.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn to get our notifications!