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Water damage is often one of the costliest and most troublesome problems which can plague a homeowner. It can destroy almost everything in a home from hardwood to carpet to expensive or valued possessions, and can take months to fix. But still it remains a problem that few people put much thought into until it becomes too late. Thankfully it is usually possible to avert this type of damage by taking the proper precautions. Below are five simple and easy precautions one can take to drastically reduce the risk of one's home being damaged, and save a large amount of money, time, and anguish.
Replace Old Appliances
If you have any appliances that use water, such as a washing machine or a water heater, make sure that they are in good working order and under ten years old. This is generally the time frame in which these machines consistently work effectively. If they are older they are much more prone to breaking down, which will be a much bigger problem later if you wait for that to happen.
Regularly Inspect Hoses
A leaky or broken hose is one of the leading causes of damage in homes. Surprisingly it is also the simplest to prevent or catch in its tracks. Always make sure the hoses on your washer or other appliances show no signs of cracking, leaking, bulging, or containing holes or kinks. If you find any of these replace it as soon as possible, usually an easy and inexpensive process. You may even want to consider taking out rubber hoses entirely and using ones made of stainless steel, which last much longer.
Never Leave Appliances Running
Never leave the house while a dishwasher or washing machine is still running. Usually if you are at home and something goes wrong with an appliance's operation, you will be able to notice and shut it off before any real damage is done. If you leave these running while away, what could have been a simple problem to avert can turn into a huge mess and a large amount of damage done by the time you get home.
Upper Level Appliances
Particular attention should always be paid to anything on the roof or in the attic, such as a humidifier or a cooler. These appliances have the most potential to cause a major problem because any leaks will travel downward through the house, ruining any walls, floors, or possessions below as well as those in their immediate area. You should be extra wary of anything on the rooftop, since it will be constantly out in all kinds of conditions, making it much easier for them to get damaged. These appliances should always be inspected at least once each year, and any problems addressed immediately.
Purchase Water Alarms
Almost everyone has the foresight to install smoke detectors, but few people consider a water alarm, which works on the same principle. This is a simple device that can alert you to water leakage, enabling you to stop the problem before it becomes a major disaster. It is usually no harder to install than hooking up a garden hose to a nozzle would be.
Employing these five easy methods can save your home and yourself from all the time, money, and frustration of a water damage disaster. Even if you think this won't happen to you, or that you don't need to be so cautious, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and prevention is a much better alternative to a situation that will cost you months of time and many lost possessions, on top of the financial loss. |
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