Top 10 Ways to Prevent Water Damage in the Home

Most water damage that occurs inside the house could be easily avoided if the home owners had taken a few preventative measures. Follow these ten easy tips and you may be able to avoid thousands of dollars in water damage cleanup costs.

1. Check for leaks by monitoring the water meter while all faucets and water-using appliances are shut off. Check every few minutes for an hour or so to see if there are any changes. If there has been water used then a pipe leak may exist.

2. Make sure you have easy access to the main water shut off valve. Being able to quickly stop the flow of water in a water damage emergency can prevent hundreds of dollars in unnecessary damage.

3. Every so often you should look underneath all the sinks throughout your house to check for pipe leaks. Also pay attention to slow-draining pipes as they may have blockages. It’s also a good idea to recaulk around sinks that are old or deteriorating.

4. If you have tiled floors or bathrooms you should always make sure there are n o cracks or missing areas of grout. To prevent water damage you should make sure all grout is intact and sealed.

5. The dishwasher is a common source of water damage in the kitchen that could be avoided if properly monitored. You should check around the dishwasher for discolored or warped materials and also inspect the house that connects the dishwasher to the water line.

6. If you have a refrigerator that has a built in ice maker you should periodically check the water connection hose for leaks.

7. It’s always a good idea to have a working fan in your bathroom to help avoid water damage. If you do not already have one built in you can probably purchase an easy to install fan from a local home improvement store.

8. Check the caulking around bathtubs and toilets throughout your house. Look for any discolorations, cracks, or mold. Make sure to recaulk any problem areas at the first sign of water damage.

9. If you have a washing machine in your home you should inspect the connection hose every now an
d then for signs of damage. You should replace the hose every three years even if you do not notice a problem.

10. Have your air conditioning serviced by a qualified contractor every few years. They will be able to check for obstructions that may cause damage.