Did you know that every day in the US, 14,000 people experience a water damage emergency either at home or at work? And, 98% of basements in the US will suffer from some form of water damage in their lifetime? Additionally, 37% of homeowners in the US claim they’ve suffered losses due to water damage.
Clearly, water damage is a big issue that many homeowners face. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your home from water damage.
Check out this guide to discover the top tips to protect your home from water damage.
1. Know When to Call a Professional
If your home becomes flooded with water due to a natural disaster or some other emergency, you may think that the damage is done and there’s no turning back. But this isn’t the case. If you get professionals over promptly to clean up the water, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to salvage your basement (or whatever room it is that is suffering from damage).
When looking for water damage restoration companies to hire, make sure you look for ones that offer emergency services. You can read more here about how these services work.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
3. Protect Your Basement
The basement is the room in your home that’s most likely to suffer from water damage. Therefore, you should take extra steps to protect it.
One of the best things to do to protect your basement is to reseal it. Over the years, cracks can form in your foundation and floor slabs. If you start to notice water seepage after heavy rainfall, then that’s a definite sign that you need to reseal these areas.
You should also make sure that water is draining away from the building. Also, you might want to consider installing a backwater valve, as this allows sewage to go out, but not come back in.
4. Inspect Your Roof
Your roof is your first line of defense against Mother Nature. Because roofs are constantly being bombarded by the eliminates, it’s important that you inspect your roof on a regular basis.
If your roof is serviceable, it’s a good idea to get up there every couple of months and scope out the tiles or shingles to make sure nothing is damaged, loose, or missing. You should also consider having your roof professionally cleaned, as this will make it easier to properly maintain it on your own, regularly.
5. Maintain Trees and Vegetation
While thriving shrubs and trees can add to your home’s curb appeal, it’s important to make sure your vegetation isn’t causing water-related issues.
You should minimize landscaping near utility pipes, and make sure your trees and shrubs don’t become too big. Also, keep in mind that some plants have invasive root systems, such as silver maples and weeping willows. If you’re not careful, their roots can grow right into your drainage field, sprinkler system, septic tank, and pipes.
Take time to plan before you plant so you can keep vegetation away from water lines. We suggest planting trees a minimum of 20 feet away from your home, just to be safe.
As you can see, there’s a lot you can do to protect your home from water damage! Comment below if you have any questions!