When most of us hear the word "flood," our minds immediately think of Mother Nature wreaking havoc. While natural disasters play a major role in making your basement damp, water damage can be the result of a variety of problems inside your home. In fact, non-weather water damage causes more home insurance claims than weather-related water damage.
The common causes of home flooding include:
● Broken pipes and hoses.
● Clogged toilets and drains.
● Poorly maintained appliances.
● Poor yard drainage.
● Cracks around windows and in the foundation.
In many cases, water damage usually starts with a small problem that is unknown or ignored, which turns into a much bigger problem. Prevent plumbing problems in your home with these nine essential tips!
Tip #1: A good place to start is the gutters
Leaks and clogs in the gutters can lead to excess water on your roof. When water doesn't drain properly, it can damage the shingles and erode the compounds that keep everything sealed and dry. Sweeping out rain gutters is something that should be done as needed, depending on your surroundings and how much debris your home encounters.
A good rule of thumb is clean your gutters twice a year – in late spring after the seeds fall and in late autumn after the leaves fall.
Tip #2: Speaking of gutters - inspect your roof
Remove any debris and cut back any trees that may be constantly rubbing. This can cause significant wear and tear. You should call a professional if you notice any bare patches, seals, or tiles missing. They’ll be able to replace and reseal those areas to prevent any further problems, including water damage.
Tip #3: Puddles can be dangerous
Poor yard drainage can also cause water to flow into your home. If you ever notice that after a rainstorm your yard holds puddles, it could be due to poor drainage. The solution could be as simple as changing where your sump pump discharge pipe drains or extending a downspout.
However, it could require a more complicated solution, such as installing a dry well or a French drain. Call a professional to help you decide how best to save your home and lawn.
Savvi bridges the gap between problem detection and problem resolution. We can connect you with a nationwide network of verified service professionals who can be on your doorstep immediately and start the process of making things right again. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that you hired a pro who has been vetted and is held to the highest industry standards.
Tip #4: Fix your foundation
The foundation is literally what your home was built on, so any damage to it can be problematic for the stability and safety of the structure. They can also allow for water to flow into your basement and create an impromptu swimming pool. If you notice any signs of cracks, make sure to call a professional who can assess a problem. Also, check your downspouts. If they’re not properly installed, they can lead water into your home rather than away from it.
Tip #5: Stop a flood by stopping your water
Broken pipes and hoses, as well as clogged toilets and drains, can create leaks you might notice right away. Savvi helps you gain peace of mind with our water leak sensors. Beautifully designed, our sensors fit neatly under sinks, washing machines, and any water source in your home. Our water sensors alert you, so a small trickle doesn’t become a major flood.
You should also find out where your home’s water shut-off valve is. This is generally a gnarly or straight red lever that when turned, will shut off the water coming into your home. If a pipe breaks or you discover a major shower leak, you can mitigate the damage by turning off the water coming into your home.
Tip #7: Give your appliances the attention they deserve
You’ll never know when a hot water heater may start leaking or your dishwasher will drain onto your kitchen floor. The best thing you can do is complete necessary maintenance tasks that will keep your appliances running as efficiently as possible. Flush your hot water heater at least once a year. Unclog your dishwasher’s sprayer arm nozzles. Inspect the braided metal hoses to make sure they’re not cracking and leaking.
Tip #8 You use braided metal hoses, right?
Braided metal hoses are more durable than rubber hoses and are less susceptible to bursts or punctures. These should be installed on the appliances and devices that use water – the washing machine, dishwasher, toilet, etc. They are super easy to install (it takes less than 15 minutes and requires only a wrench) and are affordable. So if you notice a rubber hose on your appliances, replace it immediately with a braided metal one.
Tip #9: Keep your annual plumbing inspection appointment
Get your home inspected annually by a professional plumber. A plumbing inspection will consist of checking your hot water heater, toilets, sinks, shut off valves, washing machines, drains, and water supply lines. The plumber will suggest any updates that should be made and can spot a small problem before it becomes a big – and expensive – one.
Savvi Insurance Group, Inc., based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is committed to helping families and individuals prevent losses, stay safe, and protect the people and things they love. We do that by providing our customers with our cutting-edge smart home security system along with a suite of services and benefits designed to proactively predict and prevent losses from happening in the first place.
We then back that up with comprehensive, modernized insurance protection and concierge-style claims handling, at prices that recognize and reward the benefits of a smarter, better protected home.
Originally published on vipHomeLink.com