Keeping your house in perfect shape and condition is a challenging task. There will always be some work to be done around the house to keep it maintained and in good condition. You have to maintain your yard, clean the floors, every now and then paint the wall and redo the kitchen, and so on. There are constantly endless and numerous things to pay attention to. However, water damage is one of the most common, most dangerous and costliest home disasters that can occur. In order to save thousands of dollars, and protect your precious belongings, here are a few tips to prevent water from damaging your home.

1. Clean gutters and downspouts

Different weather conditions and generally the passing time can seriously damage your gutters. Not only that but if you skip the regular cleaning of your gutters and downpipes, you can easily have some blockage or leak. Specks of dirt, leaves and other filthy materials clog your gutters and downspouts, forcing excess water to seep into your roof and exterior walls. The worst things are that it can take time until you notice the damage. Once you do, it might be too late. Have a habit of cleaning the gutters at least twice a year, especially during fall when leaves constantly fall and clog the downpipes and drains. Also, in order to keep rainwater and debris out of your home, you should clean the downspouts to ensure that water can nicely flow through. 

2. Regularly inspect the pipes and appliance leaks

One of the most common household water problems is the leaking pipes. Many Australians had water invading their house through leaking pipes and plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks and other. First of all, watch what you are pouring down the sink and pipes. Pouring grease down the pipes is a big no-no, for instance. Then, you should check your appliances. Inspect the refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher for any signs of dripping water. Also, if you notice that the wall behind those appliances is moist or has a slight change of color, then you have a leakage. Next, if a major leakage has occurred then you had better find waterproofing specialists from Sydney to help you resolve that issue and repair so it won’t happen again. If you postpone the necessary repairs or ignore the moisture damage, you risk having even more severe water damages. As they say, better be safe than sorry.

3. Minor easy preventative things

Next to regular cleaning and inspection, there are a few minor things that you can do to protect your belongings and avoid serious water damage. Check the seals and caulking around showers and tubs to make sure they are watertight and reseal them if necessary. Avoid using the powerful chemical for clogging pipes. No matter how effective they might be, they eat away the pipes and damage them far worst then you can imagine. Opt for using a drain snake which is a better option for clearing away clogs. Drain snakes are an inexpensive solution, which you can get at any hardware store, and they are pretty easy to use. Another important preventative tip is to pay attention to your water bill, and always read it carefully. You can notice if you happen to have any unknown or unexpected water leaks in the house just by reading the water bill. So if your water usage is much higher from one month to the next, they might have a leaking problem.

4. Have proper water insurance

Many homeowners have an insurance covering the basic damages. Insurance policies can vary in many ways, and you have to be double careful when it comes to water damages. Typically, insurance provides coverage for wind-driven rain, burst pipes, damage from ice dams on roof and similar. Usually, for other water damages such as sewer and drain backups, you have to get a special insurance policy. However, in order to be even more protected, for example from overflowing water, you should make a general flood insurance policy which can only be purchased from the federal government. Heavy rain can cause horrible problems in your basement. Some insurances don’t cover minor seepage, which exacerbates by the settled rainwater that flows in the buildings. So reseal the basement and mend the foundation cracks and floor slabs. Don’t store away your off-season clothes in the basement, but rather place them up on the closet. Insurance won’t cover the damage of your precious photos and memorabilia, so never store your valuables where there is the risk of destruction from the water.

To keep your house regularly safe, clean and protected from both physical and financial water damage follow these tips meticulously. If water flood or leakage happens in the end, contact local water damage experts in order to get professional help.

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