How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home


 

Water damage can occur at any time. It can result from a burst pipe, heavy rainfall and floods, sewage backup, water seeping through a cracked foundation, and much more. It can be a very stressful time for many homeowners worrying about damage to valuable items, structural integrity of the house, mould growth, and dealing with insurance companies. Following the tips below can help prevent your home from sustaining such damage and provide next steps for those that have suffered damage.

Prevention is the best defense

  1. Check your homeowner’s policy

Homeowners are strongly encouraged to review their home insurance policies to educate themselves on whether their coverage includes flood insurance. Coverage for water damage, (such as from overflowing toilets) may not be the same as for flooding. With some insurance companies, if water enters the basement through a crack in the foundation, it could fall under a maintenance issue and that may not qualify for your flood damage claim.

 

  1. Upgrade your home with flood resistant or waterproof materials

Materials are qualified to be labeled as flood resistant if they are in direct contact with water for at least 72 hours without suffering considerable damage. According to HGTV, these materials include concrete, closed-foam insulation, pressure-treated and marine-grade plywood, and ceramic tile.

 

  1. Waterproof your Walls

To prevent water entering your home during heavy rainfalls or floods, consider installing a waterproof veneer to your exterior walls. There are many elegant and aesthetically pleasing styles to choose from including faux-stone and brick.  It is also important to clean out the gutters and to point any downspouts away from the house.

 

For interior walls, replace current insulation with closed-cell foam insulation. Closed-cell foam insulation is a better insulator and is much more water-resistant than open-cell foam insulation.

 

One of the most important things you can do for your home is to waterproof the foundation to protect the structure of the house. Inspect your crawlspace, if you have one, for any cracks which could allow for any water to seep through. Also check your windows for any cracks or holes that need to be fixed.

 

  1. Don’t overlook sewage

In areas where flooding occurs more frequently, sewer lines can back up into homes through drainpipes. Not only is the damage from this difficult to repair, but it is also a health hazard. Consider installing backflow valves as these can prevent unwanted flow into your home.

  1. Waterproof storage

Many people utilize the space in their basements for additional storage purposes. Storing items and books in plastic boxes that can be fully sealed are both cost-effective and prevent moisture from seeping through.

 

 

What to do if your home is flooded

Fast action is essential when your home has been flooded or sustained any water damage. Knowing the following tips during this time-sensitive event can help keep a clear head and reduce the amount of damage your home could sustain. With moisture comes the added issue of mould growth so swift action is vital.

  1. Inspect your basement

Water damage happens more often in basements but this applies to any part of the house where is water seeping through. Assess the situation and immediately check for any electrical wires or outlets that have been compromised. Call for an electrician at once.

 

  1. Call a flood or water damage service as soon as possible.

Many water damage restoration and flood services operate 24/7 and often work directly with your insurance companies. Water damage restoration companies detect the source of the leak and often use thermal imaging to locate where the water is seeping in from. Once the water is removed, the process of restoration begin, which dries your home to prevent any mould growth.

 

  1. Remove all valuables from near the source of the damage

During your inspection, remove any valuable items from getting damaged. If an item cannot be dried, consider tossing it out to prevent mould growth which could spread in your home.

 

  1. Sanitize everything

Once your home has been dried and restored, use bleach to clean and sanitize everything the water has been in contact with and to get rid of any mould spores.

 

  1. Get clean carpets

Wet carpets and area rugs are big culprits for mould growth. Consider getting rid of wet carpets. If this is not an option, consider scheduling a professional carpet cleaning for your home. Wet methods such as steam cleaning or shampooing are not ideal when the carpet is already wet. Drier methods, like ChemDry, dry much faster and do not use harsh chemicals that traditional methods use. Traditional methods leave behind a soapy residue which attracts more soiling and carpets are dirty again in a matter of weeks. The ChemDry method is cleaner and Green-Certified, meaning our cleaning agents are all natural and safe to use around children and pets.

 

  1. Plan for future water damage and flood

Following the prevention tips above, consider creating a plan to prevent your home from suffering another damaging event.

 

Water damage could occur at any moment and catches most people off-guard. Armed with this knowledge, you can prevent your home from potential flooding, or should your home be flooded, you will know which steps to take next. Trust Chem-Dry Trillium to solve this disaster so you can have one less thing to worry about during this overwhelming time.

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