Picture this: You have been hearing drip-drop noises coming from the kitchen for days now. You have checked every place under and around the sink but the pipes seem to be completely dry. The next day when you get home from work, you see the kitchen floor flooded. Trying to figure out what’s causing the leak, you move the appliances around and there it is — the pipe connecting to the dishwasher is rusted and has perforations in it. The water seeped into the floor and you can see mold on the wall.
If you have been in a similar situation then you know it’s impossible to repair water damage on your own. Not only do you need to call a plumber to inspect the pipes, but you should also contact a drying service to make sure that the water doesn’t damage the floorboards. If this problem had occurred in a carpeted room, you would have been looking at a complete extraction.
Before something like this happens, why not prevent water from damaging your house in the first place? Following are five water damage inspection tips that every homeowner should know.
Tip #1
Regularly Check the Appliances
Any appliance that has a connection to the water line should be checked regularly. You never know when a joint might break and spring a leak. Appliances you should keep an eye on include dishwasher, fridge, AC units, water heater, and shower. Apart from water puddles, other signs that indicate a leak are unpleasant odors, sound of water dripping or running even when all taps are closed, reduced water pressure, and mold.
Tip #2
Watch the Water Bill
Is your water bill increasing every month? If yes, then there’s probably a leak in your house. If it’s not on the surface, then it’s behind the walls or in the ceiling. Call a plumber immediately to repair any possible water damage.
Tip #3
Buy a Water Detection Device
A water detection device proves quite useful in detecting leaks. The sensors are installed on pipes that directly connect with appliances. If a leak is detected, the device immediately alerts you. Some of the SMART devices also shut off water supply if a huge amount of water escapes.
Tip #4
When Leaving Town, Shut Off the Main Valve
Water pipes behave differently in summer and winter. Make sure to drain all water lines when vacationing in winter or the water in the pipes will freeze and cause cracks. You can either close the main water valve or leave it open and close the valve of each plumbing fixture. Most people do the latter to keep the sprinklers and pool pump running.
Tip #5
Roof Inspection
After a heavy rain or storm, get your roof checked to make sure that there are no broken shingles. Inspect the area around the vent and remove any obstructions. A leak on the roof can cause water to seep into the attic and from there into the walls. It’s possible that excessive water damage can collapse the wall. Even a small crack in the shingle will have you paying big bucks to repair water damage.
Now that you know what to look for and where, you can easily prevent leaks from damaging your house. Make sure to clean the gutters too or your bathroom might flood with dirty water. STOP Restoration is a cleaning and restoration service that helps repair water damage. These professionals are equipped to handle any kind of situation and will save your home from becoming a wet mess.
STOP Restoration is a cleaning and restoration company that provides its services in Providence, Cadence, East Las Vegas and many other areas. Make a quick call to S.T.O.P. at (702) 803-3094 for emergency cleaning service.
