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How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

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Owning a home allows you to create a living environment that perfectly suits your needs. While there are many benefits of owning a home, it is also necessary to take the best care of your property. Maintaining your home is vital to ensure it preserves its value and also to ensure it looks great and stays in the best condition. Being aware of the potential causes of damage to your property is the best way to protect it. Water damage is a common cause of damage to properties. Research shows insurance claims for water damage are on the rise. There are many reasons water damage can occur to a home, and the increase in extreme weather events is likely to be partly to blame. Of course, water damage can also be caused by issues such as burst pipes or broken roof shingles, so being aware of how your property can be damaged by water is crucial. While there are many reasons your home can experience water damage, there are still plenty of ways to protect your home from the possible causes. Here are some of the ways you can help to protect your home and reduce the likelihood of water damaging your property:

Schedule a Roof Inspection

Missing or cracked shingles can cause a significant amount of water damage to your property in a short space of time. Even if you have not noticed an issue with your roof, it is still possible water is penetrating it and seeping through into your roof space. Looking for signs of damage to your roof, especially after a storm, is vital to keep your home protected. Getting your roof regularly inspected, especially if you notice any signs of damage, is crucial. If you require a new roof installation getting this organized as soon as possible is essential to keep your home protected and ensure it is watertight.

Keep Your Gutters and Downpipes Clear

Your home’s guttering and rainwater pipes may not be something you pay much attention to. However, they play a crucial role in protecting your home from water damage. When your guttering is working effectively, it collects rainwater and sends it through the downpipe and into the drain. If your gutters are clogged, or your downpipe is not connected correctly, it will cause damage to your property. Rainwater that is not channeled away correctly may run down the side of your home. This water can then seep through the walls of your house and cause issues such as mold and dampness. If the water continues running down to ground level, this can potentially cause damage to your home’s foundation. 

Keeping your rainwater system running effectively is relatively simple. Ensuring your gutters are cleaned regularly is the most crucial thing for you to do. Cleaning the gutters removes debris such as moss and fallen leaves that cause blockages. It is also useful to check for signs of guttering or downpipes coming away from the wall, as this can cause the water to flow down the side of your property rather than the pipes. 

Look Out for Signs of Leaks

Leaks are notoriously difficult to deal with, as it can be challenging to locate the source of the issue and resolve it. Being aware of the signs of a leak and then getting it sorted out immediately is the best course of action. Spotting a leaking pipe is the most obvious way to detect a leak, but sometimes they can be more challenging to identify. Looking for signs of mold on your ceilings and walls or carpets that feel spongy and wet are all signs your home may have a leak. Calling out a plumber right away will ensure that the issue is dealt with quickly before it becomes a more significant problem.

Infographic created by Conway Services, an air conditioning company

Be Flood Prepared

Hopefully, your local area will never experience flooding. Unfortunately, due to climate change, the number of extreme weather conditions is increasing, which means that floods are more likely to happen. It is best to be prepared for a flood and have a plan to protect your property. Installing a sump pump at your property is helpful and will prove invaluable if a flood does occur. Placing the sump pump or chemical dosing pump skid in your basement is often advised, as this is the area of your home that will become flooded first. It is wise to select a battery-operated sump pump rather than an electrical one, as this will enable you to continue using it even if your property loses power.

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