Monday
Aug192013
Ten Ways to Prevent Water Damage
Monday, August 19, 2013 at 02:45PM 
About one quarter of all homeowner’s insurance losses in the United States are caused by water damage. Just a few steps could help you prevent a water damage from happening:
- Know where your water shutoff valve is located. Be sure that the entire family knows how to shut off household water supplies in the event of a sudden pipe or hose break.
- Let faucets drip during extremely cold weather. This keeps the water moving and helps to reduce the chance of freezing.
- Never leave the house with appliances, such as dishwashers or washing machines still operating.
- Turn off the water while you’re out of town. Many homeowners have returned from vacation to find their washer hoses have burst and flooded their homes.
- Inspect your plumbing every year. You should inspect your water pipes and fittings annually. This is a simple check that takes only a few minutes but could prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
- Inspect your water heater, washer, dishwasher, sinks, toilets and refrigerator ice maker for evidence of water leaks and repair immediately.
- Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom while the shower is on. This helps to remove steam from the room.
- Check your hoses and replace them if they indicate wear. Consider replacing hoses to your washer and dishwasher every two to five years.
- Repair window and door cracks with caulk. This helps to prevent water from seeping into the house from outside.
- Clean out gutters and down spouts regularly. This helps prevent overflowing, which may damage your roof.
Reader Comments (1)
Water damage is indeed a serious thing to consider. It can ruin almost everything you have at home. It may be a little water or not.