Prevent Water Damage

Simple Tips To Prevent Water Damage

You can prevent water damage with routine maintenance, common sense and these helpful tips.

• Check your gutters regularly and clean them. Leaves and dirt can cause rain water to not flow into the down spout, and instead drain over the edge of the gutter to a place where it can get into your home.
• Check your laundry hoses and valves. Old hoses and valves can burst.
• Smell your basement. If it doesn't smell right, chances are you may have a moisture problem and mold.
• Check your roof every year. Even a new roof can be damaged by severe thunderstorms and hail.
• Do NOT leave wet fabrics in place; air dry them as soon as possible! Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature!
• Do NOT leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors! The colors will bleed out into the carpet or floor and your books, magazines or other documents may become un-restorable.
• Do not "mop" your wood floors. Use approved cleaning products made for wood floors.
• Check for hidden leaks by turning off your faucets, appliances, and don't use your water for one hour. Check your water meter before and after one hour to see if any water was used.
• If you're remodeling your bathroom, ensure your vents have been properly installed. All air should flow outside. Incorrectly installed vent pipes can allow humid air to flow into your attic, or between floors. This can cause mold problems.
• Ensure you seal your tiled bath and showers. Water that gets behind your tiles will promote mold growth.
• If you have an old water heater, have it serviced regularly or replace it.
• Air conditioning drain lines need to be free of obstructions.
• If your toilet is backed up, don't keep flushing it. Sometimes if you wait, whatever is causing the problem can soften enough to flow through. If not, call a plumber before you make a mess. If you've already made a mess, call us. We'll clean it.

Minimize Water Damage

If you are already in need of water damage restoration, there are a few things you can do to minimize water damage until help arrives.