Water can do a lot of damage to a home, and it can do it fast. It’s a good thing, then, that there are some easy things you can do to protect your home. Here’s what homeowners should know about stopping water damage before it starts.
Seal (Or Reseal) Your Basement
If there’s water seeping into your basement after it rains or snows, it’s time to seal (or reseal!) your basement. This can be as easy as spraying sealant over cracks or it may involve getting professional help.
Direct Water Away From Your Home’s Foundation
Make sure that all of your gutter downspouts send water at least 6 feet away from your home. That way, it won’t add to the water already in the soil and risk oversaturating it. All of that water has to go somewhere and it can end up inside your house!
Get a Backwater Valve
Sewer backups can cause water damage and more! Backwater valves allow sewage to flow out but not back in. Even if you have a sewer problem, this valve should save you from having to deal with sewage inside your home. Installing one of these can save you a lot of stress and hassle later.
Perform Regular Inspections
Look over the hoses in your house at least once a year. Make sure they aren’t cracked or broken and that they don’t have small leaks. If you spot any problems, replace them right away. Otherwise, they could cause a surprising number of water damage issues.
Turn Off Water Supplies Before You Travel
Find the water supply valves for your sinks, washing machine, and more. Before you leave home, turn these off. This prevents most floods while you are gone. Since standing water causes damage fast, this could save you quite a bit of hassle and heartache when you return.
Find Your Main Shut-Off Valve and Know How to Use It
The main shut-off valve turns off water to your entire house. If you find a leak or something starts spraying water everywhere, this is the fastest and most direct way to stop the flow of water.
Most of the time, these valves are in your garage or your utility area. Turn the knob or the lever all the way to the right to stop the water flow. Then, don’t use any water in your house until you fix the problem and turn it back on!
Install an Emergency Pressure Relief Valve
If you are concerned about frozen pipes and the pressure that can build up behind them, consider an emergency pressure relief valve. These help prevent burst pipes even if they do freeze, and they are relatively easy for a professional plumber to install.
Call us at Core24 Services today, or anytime you want help protecting your home from water damage. We can send out a pro to help you decide what you need, then get your home fully protected soon! Make your appointment now!
833-267-3247