Flooding is one of the worst messes you can face. Fortunately, you can take steps to stop water damage before it starts. These are the best ways to keep water from damaging your home. We’ll also tell you how we can help if a flood does occur.
INSPECT YOUR HOME
The first line of defense is to know your home well, inside and out. By knowing as much as you can about your home, you’ll be able to reduce the risk of flood damage. You may be able to stop damage in its tracks by learning more about your home.
First, locate the main entry points for water, electric, and natural gas. This is critical because if a flood occurs, you’ll need to turn off all these entry points as soon as possible. Turning off the water, electric, and natural gas can help avoid further damage and/or injuries.
Next, look for any problems in your home’s foundation. If you notice any cracks in the foundation or wet, warped areas in the basement walls, you may have a leak in the foundation. It’s important to fix this before a flood occurs, as it can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Inspect water pipes for leaks and cracks. Do this with the water running in your home, and perform another test with the water main turned off. If you notice any leaks or pools of water, call a plumber right away for repairs.
Watch your toilets, bathtubs and showers, dishwasher, and washing machine for signs of slow draining. If you notice any backups, take care of them immediately. Failing to do so could lead to a significant water damage event.
INSTALL NEW EQUIPMENT
You can install different equipment to head off water problems. For your sinks and tubs, you can install a reflux valve. This type of valve will help prevent flood backup issues. You can install them yourself or hire a plumber to install them for you.
A sump pump will help you avoid sewer backups if you have a basement. It automatically pumps excess groundwater or sewer water away from your home. If you install a sump pump, plan on yearly maintenance. A qualified plumber can install a sump pump in your home and show you how to maintain it.
To prevent burst pipes, insulate your pipes before winter. You can buy special insulation made to surround pipes or add extra insulation to rooms where pipes are housed. This preventive measure can keep water from freezing in your pipes, which could cause them to burst and make a huge mess.
PROFESSIONAL WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION
Even if you take these preventative measures, you may still experience a flood in your home. Water damage is difficult to clean up all by yourself. At Cleaning and Restoration Specialists, we can help you fully restore your home after damage from flooding occurs. If you have experienced water damage, call us within 24 hours of the event so we can get to work on restoring your home. You can reach us at 210-610-5349 for all your home restoration needs.
