Water damage is one of those “death and taxes” things…it’s unavoidable. Especially if you have a basement, which puts you in the 98% category for becoming a statistic. The remaining 2% probably live on some mountain peak somewhere….don’t you wish you were them?
We’ve done all kinds of articles on how to minimize water damage, but it seems that there are always a few more stories to tell. Here are a few more ways to can cut down on the damage that water or flooding can do to your home or business.
If your water heater is getting on up in years, replace it. These units can put out a tremendous amount of water if they spring a leak, which can affect multiple rooms in your home. What’s considered “old age” for a water heater? 10-12 years is the average life span for most units. Replacing one every decade should keep you dry, and you can also look into more energy efficient units such as the new tankless water heaters.
Hoses, such as those running out of refrigerators, washers, etc., are going to be prone to cracking and breaking as they get older. Consider replacing the wimpy hoses with good, strong, stainless steel hoses. Keep in mind that this is not a be all end all fix, however. Make sure the hoses are properly coupled and securely attached at all connection points.
Keep an eye on your air conditioners, especially those in the attic. Water produced by air conditioners is naturally going to run downhill, so a catastrophic failure of a unit in your attic has the potential to damage everything beneath it. Do an inspection a couple of times a year and replace any broken items or repair any issues you find before they have the chance to grow, be fruitful, and multiply.
It is easy to turn on the dishwasher or washing machine before you leave the house, but this is a mistake. If there is a problem while you are gone, it will have plenty of time to cause a lot of damage before you finally return. A break that occurs while you are home may require a mop….one that occurs while you are gone may end up requiring a heavy duty submersible pump. Which one would you rather deal with?
Consider installing water alarms around your property. These sensor devices are designed to detect water and will sound an alarm if flooding or overflow is detected. These should be installed in areas prone to leaking, such as behind washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, etc…..basically anywhere that a water leak could occur. Some leaks can go undetected for days, weeks, or even months….by which time serious damage has been done. Sensors can go a long way towards preventing such “creeping” problems.
As always, Water Damage Local.com is available 24/7/365 to handle all of your flood damage and water removal needs. One call will have one of our IICRC certified providers out to your home within the hour,
ready to assess your individual problem and begin the restoration process.
Call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today.
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