Water damage is one of the most common home damages and repairs most homeowners go through and often try to avoid. It usually starts small, so some may overlook it at first sight. But water damages, when ignored, can easily cause far worse damage to your home, leading to more costly repairs or even replacements.

Take note that water damage isn’t only provoked by natural events, like floods, heavy rains, or hurricanes. Most of the time, it often begins due to blocked gutters, tiny pipe holes, or poorly graded soil, all of which can be easily fixed when spotted in advance. When left unchecked, even a small amount of water can lead to costly damages, mold growth, or damp walls. That’s why it’s essential for homeowners to identify any troubles earlier.

To help you out, here are five ways that you can do to prevent water damage in your home:

1. Keep Your Gutters Clear

Aside from the existing hidden water pipes you have at home, your gutter and downspouts are also part of the pipe systems that hold water from your roof and ensure it goes away from the roof’s foundation. Unlike other pipe systems, gutter and downspouts are placed in the exterior, making them easier to maintain. 

It’s crucial that you keep them clear from any debris and other items that could block the route of the running water. Clogged gutters can cause water to run towards your house and damage the foundation. Furthermore, water will also likely flow towards your roof and cause roof leaks. Thus, make sure you clear your gutter and downspouts at least twice or thrice a year.

You can call a professional contractor to help you clear your gutter. It’s also best to use plastic guttering for your gutter system as they don’t bend or lose shape easily when filled with much weight. You can check here for more details about plastic guttering and identify which one best works for your home.

2. Regularly Check Your Roof Inside and Out

One of the most known culprits behind water damage is leaky roofs. There are numerous causes for your roof to leak. It can either be due to the use of faulty roofing materials, wrong installation, missing shingles, damaged gutter, or natural causes, like strong storms and winds. For this reason, it’s vital that you regularly check your roof. Your roof is the only area in the house that cannot be easily seen unless you take your ladder and intentionally check it. 

Roof problems tend to start small and unnoticeable until you find them out too late. Some may even get noticed by the time the attic is already flooded with water or thick moss is already visible in your roof, ceiling, or walls. Roof repairs and replacements are very costly and can take time before the repairs and replacements are completed, which can hinder your daily routine.

The best way for you to avoid going through all that water damage, roof repair, and the cost is by regularly checking your roof.

3. Install a Water Detection Device

Despite your house looking good and in shape, it’s still best to be proactive in searching for any leaks. Minor leaks can happen without being detected for a long time until they finally become noticeable as the damage also worsens. For this reason, it’s best to check your appliances, like washing machines or dishwashers, and see for any signs of astray water. You can also check the bottom of your sinks for possible minor leaks.

While you’re searching for water leaks, you can install a water detection device in your home to make the hunt a lot easier. This device has a built-in alarm that goes off whenever it detects any signs of moisture. You can install this close to your appliances, toilets, sinks, or sump pumps. This gadget will also be helpful whenever the entire family is away from home.

Once the device can detect any signs of a leak, it automatically shuts off the main water supply, saving your home from further damage.

4. Look for Areas with Mold Growth

Another dominant sign of water damage is when mold or moss growth is visible in your wallpaper, ceiling, or painting. Oftentimes, they also appear as a black, damp mark in your walls, and they also come with a musty smell, making your home interiors unsightly to live in. Thus, you need to identify mold or mildew growth at the earliest time possible. Once you do, make sure to trace the primary source of moisture and have it fixed as soon as possible.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are various ways how disastrous water damage can be for your home. Even the smallest amount of leaking is enough to weaken any major structural parts of your home. Following these preventive ways will help avoid water damage from ever occurring in your home.

Moreover, if you spot any small signs of leak or damage on the pipes, don’t hesitate to call your trusted contractor immediately. Remember that the best solution is addressing a potential problem quickly in advance and go on the defense.