Many homeowners may be surprised to learn that water damage is one of the most frequent insurance claims. Water damage is an all-too-common occurrence that’s caused by many different factors. In addition, water damage is one of the most expensive home repairs to undertake. This high expense is because water damage spreads quickly through the home, causing more damage than just a leak repair.
Water can soak into your floors, warping wood and busting tile, and seep into your home’s foundation to cause cracks, which is detrimental to your home’s structural stability. However, you can prevent water damage to avoid these costly repair bills. This article will cover three ways to avoid water damage to your home.
Hire a professional to inspect your roof for leaks or signs of damage.
Consider having your roof inspected by a licensed roofing contractor, like this Murrysville roofing company. Roofs are often an overlooked cause of home water damage. If roof damage, such as high wind, falling tree limbs, or hail, goes unnoticed, it can lead to severe water leakage.
A roof leak will damage much more than just the roof. This leak can lead to damage in your attic, soaking down to your living space, and even into your home’s foundation. Not to mention, with enough damage, a roof can even collapse.
If you’re concerned about a roof leak, there are a couple of signs to remember. If your roof has missing shingles or moss growth, a water leak may be forming. A yearly roof inspection can help homeowners mitigate this risk. So, consider hiring a roofing contractor to inspect your roof at least once a year.
Keep your gutters clean to reduce the chance of damage.
Guttering is another common culprit behind water damage. If your gutters aren’t kept clean, it can lead to clogs that prevent your guttering from doing its job. As a result, you’ll have standing water in your gutters that will damage them and your roof. For example, your guttering may develop holes from rust or form leaks at their joints. Finally, clogged gutters will begin to overflow if you don’t address the clog.
Leaking or overflowing gutters will cause water damage to your roof and siding that will inevitably seep through to your home’s interior. Therefore, it’s imperative to clean your guttering or hire a professional to clean it at least twice a year to maintain their condition and prevent damage.
Monitor your monthly water bill for spikes.
Leaks aren’t always as apparent as water dripping from the ceiling. Sometimes, leaks can occur in pipes hidden behind your walls or under your flooring. Frequently, these leaks are challenging to find unless they’re severe. A small leakage can often be more dangerous than a large leak as it will leak water for longer while going unnoticed. If one of your plumbing pipes develops a minor leak, you’ll have water in basement spaces before you know it.
The best way to watch out for hidden water leaks is to monitor your monthly water bill. For example, if your monthly water bill averages around $45 a month, and suddenly, it spikes to $65 the following month, you may have a leak.
Another way to check for a leaky plumbing pipe is to turn off all of your water faucets and water-using appliances, then check your water meter. If the water meter continues to move after shutting off all of your water faucets and appliances, you likely have a leakage.
Prevent water damage to ensure your home lasts as long as possible.
It’s crucial to avoid water damage as much as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes, life has other plans, and water damage may be unavoidable, such as flooding. However, you can reduce this risk by regularly inspecting your roof, keeping your gutters clean, and monitoring your water bill.
