Water can be your home’s biggest enemy for multiple reasons. It can destroy walls, floors, ceilings, and even your belongings. It can also lead to lingering issues like mold and mildew growth. That should make avoiding water damage a big priority for you as a homeowner. To help, here are some New Year’s resolutions to protect your home from water damage.
Schedule Periodic Roof Inspections
Your home’s roof constitutes its primary protection against the elements. It’s also one of the most likely places where a leak in your home might develop. Worse still, you may not discover a roof leak until it causes significant damage. That’s because the water damage would need to spread to a living area before it became apparent. To avoid all that, it’s a good idea to schedule an annual roof inspection with a qualified roofer. Catching minor roof problems and addressing them early can avert massive water damage to your home.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
You can help your roof stand up to the elements by keeping your home’s gutters clean and clear. That ensures there’s never any standing water on your roof, where it can seep indoors. You should resolve to have your gutters cleaned at the end of fall each year for best results. That’s the part of the year when the majority of leaves and detritus have built up in your gutters. If you have the means, you should also consider installing gutter guards. They prevent buildup in your gutters in the first place, reducing ongoing maintenance needs.
Schedule Annual Plumbing Inspections
Your home’s plumbing can also pose a significant risk of water damage if any part of it fails. The good news is that your plumbing is robust and should last for years with few problems. However, a failure can be catastrophic, so it’s wise to have your home’s plumbing inspected annually. A qualified plumber can assess your plumbing and let you know if any part needs repair or replacement. In every case, proactive repairs will cost less than a plumbing emergency and the water damage it causes.
Familiarize Yourself With Your Home’s Water Shutoff Valves
No matter how well you maintain your plumbing, you should still be ready to deal with a leak. To do that, you should resolve to familiarize yourself with your home’s water shutoff valves. You’ll typically find two under every sink, and one behind or under each toilet. You should also locate your home’s main water shutoff valve, which you can use if all else fails. Also, ensure your annual plumbing inspection includes verifying that those valves function as intended.
Install Leak Detectors
No matter how hard you try, you can’t keep tabs on every potential source of a leak in your home. Fortunately, modern technology makes it so you don’t have to. In the new year, consider installing leak and moisture detectors throughout your home. They connect to your existing Wi-Fi network and alert you when there’s unexpected moisture. Some systems can even turn off water shutoff valves for you if you aren’t home to do it yourself.
Despite your best efforts, water damage can still happen inside your home. If it does, contact H & L Remediation for water damage cleanup in San Jose, CA.