Damage due to water leaks can be quite devastating and is often not detected until there is widespread deterioration in the home. However, the good news is that there are some steps you can take to prevent water damage in your home, and some of them are described below.
1. Compare Your Monthly Water Bills
One of the best ways to determine whether or not you may have a water leakage issue in your home is to examine and compare your monthly water bills. Has your monthly bill jumped up dramatically recently? If it has, you very well may have a leak in your home.
2. Pay Attention to Signs of Moisture
Another way to locate water leaks in your home is to check for any signs of moisture or mold inside the bathroom or kitchen cabinets, around the base of toilets, and on the walls or ceiling of your bathroom. If you do notice moisture, you will want to investigate further to locate and repair the leak.
3. Examine Your Washing Machine Hoses Regularly
Washing machine hoses can become thin and brittle after years of usage. When this occurs, they can begin leaking and damage the flooring beneath the appliance. Because of this, it is a good idea to examine these hoses regularly and replace them if necessary.
4. Clean Your Gutters Periodically
Gutters and downspouts are often overlooked by homeowners, and unfortunately, clogged gutters and downspouts can wreak havoc on the foundation of your home. For this reason, make a point to clean any debris out of your gutters and downspouts at least twice during the year to maintain proper drainage and avoid costly water damage.
5. Invest in a Good Water Pressure Gauge
Overly high water pressure can cause hoses and pipes to deteriorate in your home. To prevent this from happening, you can check your water pressure with a water pressure gauge that you can find at your local hardware store. If your pressure reads higher than 70psi, a water pressure regulator can help maintain your water pressure at an acceptable level.
6. Take Note of Where You Plant Trees and Bushes
When trees and bushes are planted too close to underground water pipes, their roots can easily wrap around those pipes causing damage and ultimately, water leaks. To prevent this from happening, before you begin planting any type of vegetation around your home, make sure you locate your underground pipes first.
7. Learn How to Turn Your Water Supply Off
There is perhaps nothing worse than experiencing a burst pipe and not knowing how to turn your main water supply off. Find out where your water main is, and if you do not know how to turn your water supply off, find someone who can show you how. In this way, you can avoid major water damage due to burst pipes or leaky toilets.
