Maintaining your home free of water damage can be an ongoing struggle, but it is never more important to be aware of potential water damage sources than during winter, particularly if your area receives snow or heavy rain. Regions of your house that you ought to be especially vigilant about comprise the roof, foundation, windows and garage door – these may easily allow water in your house and cause damage over time.
The roof is most likely the most essential area of your house to keep in good working order. The roof is very susceptible to a number of problems that can build up over time and result in a leak in your house. Make sure your roof is free of leaves and other debris that can trap water, causing it to back up beneath the shingles or even cause the shingles to deteriorate over time. Additionally, cold temperatures can lead to around the underside of the roof deck which may induce rot if the space under your roof isn’t properly ventilated.
Having your roof regularly inspected is also a superb idea – you will be able to discover any possible problems which may have arisen over the years before they become a problem.
The base is another possible source of difficulty, especially if your yard isn’t properly drained. Poor drainage may allow water to seep under your base. If the soil under your house is prone to enlarging when it becomes wet, this may be very problematic as it may create the foundation. Furthermore, if your base is cracked in several areas, this can allow water to seep in your house from below and cause damage to walls, your floors and other areas of your house that water comes in contact.
Windows are also quite important to maintain good repair. Water can easily get into the regions around the frame and harm the partitions – mold and mildew are especially problematic if water gets trapped in these regions.
Finally, your garage door is just another weak spot in your house which you may want to pay close attention to throughout the winter. The weatherstrip in the base of the door should be in good fix – ideally, it will make a tight seal in the base of the door that prevents rain, snow, dead leaves, and other things from getting into the garage and potentially making a mess in your garage which could ruin anything on the floor of their garage. Wooden garage doors are also very susceptible to water damage and need to be inspected to make sure that water damage is not currently gaining a foothold.
You Should Prevent Household Leaks To Avoid Damage
The most attentive homeowners might encounter problems with water damage should they find a problem during the inspection. To be able to prevent water damage from home leaks and other problems to switch off the water heater. Find the main water valve into the house, if you’re unsure where the flow is coming from and turn off it.
After you’ve made sure the problem isn’t getting worse, the next step is to immediately clean up the mess to prevent any permanent damage such as warping, paint peeling, molding and rotting– mops, rags, and towels may be useful for removing still-water. When the standing water has been gone, the area will have to be air-dried entirely. Slimming down the walls and some other appliances towels are half the battle; instead, set up lovers, open windows and doors up if necessary, or lease a fan.
Once you’re certain that the area is totally dry, shop around to make sure that it was the only area affected. Water is invasive and has a tendency to soak into and under things to creep into areas you may not have considered. Make sure to check the floor below, cabinets and adjacent rooms for evidence of harm.
When things seem under control, you may want to look into using a leak detection program installed. The machine is designed to alert you when a leak is located and saving you valuable time in addition to up to thousands of dollars in repair costs. Some systems automatically shut off the water when a leak is discovered, if you are not stopping the spread of this damage. Don’t be afraid to call a professional from PuroClean Northbrook, IL to provide the space a professional screening if you ever have any doubts about what you’ve done.
Ways To Prevent Water Damage
1. Turn off the Water
When you notice a flow, the first thing you should do is to shut the water off. If turning off the water doesn’t get the job done, or you’re not sure where the water is leaking out of closed off the main water valve. Where cold water enters your house, inside it should be found. Main water valves are occasionally close to the water heater.
2. Mop up the Mess
As soon as you have turned off the water, the flow will have to get cleaned up. Until there is no water visible in the flow area Eliminate as much water as possible using towels, rags, or a mop. This has to be done as soon as is possible because water can soak to floors, ceilings, and walls.
3. Dry Completely
After you’ve removed almost all of the water, then play it safe and exfoliate the damaged location. Open doors and windows around the house to let some airflow throughout. You can put some sitting or grilling enthusiasts of the flow area in front for a few hours to make sure it’s all dry.
4. Check Surrounding Areas
After you have taken care of the immediate area, look around to make sure no additional area is affected. Water has a method of getting around without being noticed. Go downstairs, if the leak occurred upstairs and check your ceilings and walls.
5. Check Ventilation
The best way to prevent leaks from the roof (from melted ice dams or heavy rain) or a different area upstairs is with appropriate venting. Make sure the soffit is properly ventilated; with holes all down the other side. Even after a flow has occurred, checking and upgrading your ventilation can keep fresh air within the room and prevent mold and/or decay.
6. Install Leak Detection System
One simple way to prevent water damage is to put in a water leak detection system. When a leak in your home is discovered, saving you maybe thousands the first time this program will alert you it works. Some systems shut off all the water in your home mechanically when a leak is detected, giving you peace of mind when you’re away from your home.
7. Call a Professional
Once you have done everything you can yourself to your water leak, call an expert to come and take a look at the affected area. Then it is essential to be sure if the leak was small and simple to handle, do not bother, but when the leak was big and might have sunk to walls or the damage of the floor is being done to your home.