The best way to prevent water damage is with proactive maintenance around your home. Check these ideas of what to look for and what not to do.
- Check your landscaping. While we all love lush landscaping, it is important to consider how big that tree is going to be 10-20 years from now. Tree roots grow deep and spread which can cause pipes to crack and break. Proper tree trimming can also prevent breaking branches and landing on your roof, possibly damaging it and/or breaking windows.
- Clean out rain gutters. While this is not on anyone’s list of favorite things to do, removing leaves, sticks, shingle grit and other debris will prevent clogged rain gutters. Water can get into the foundation, through the roof, or down to the basement due to clogged gutters. It is recommended to clean the gutters twice a year, before and after autumn, as that’s when most of the leaves fall.
- Is your water bill abnormally high? The plumbing pipes for your house are hidden in walls and under the house so seeing a leak first may not be possible. However, if you notice your bill higher than usual and don’t know why, consult a leak detection company to determine if you have a leak. If one is found, have it fixed immediately.
- Use a drain snake when unclogging a drain. At some point, there is going to be a clogged drain. Try using a drain snake instead of chemical drain cleaners. While it may be easier to use chemical drain cleaners, the chemicals can be eating away at your pipes and setting yourself up for leaks. The drain snakes are readily available at hardware and home improvement stores.
- Check and maintain your appliances for any leaks. Change the washing machine hoses once they are brittle or old.
If you have water damage, contact JW Home Care, your local, family-owned restoration company. We are on call 24/7 and will arrive promptly and ready to tackle any situation.
