4 Ways to Prevent Household Water Damage from Ruining Your Life

Owning a home can sometimes feel like an endless battle. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. One of the biggest battles many homeowners face is dealing with water damage.

While it can do significant damage to your home, 93% of water damage cases are actually quite preventable. Here are a few tips to help you keep you afloat during the high tide.

Plant Smartly

While that weeping willow you planted near your house a few years back looks great, it’s probably doing some damage as well. Certain plants and trees have invasive roots that can do some serious damage to your septic system, drainage pipes, sprinklers, and any other underground system. Consider the location of any water lines before you get too trigger happy with that green thumb of yours.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Cleaning the gutters is never a pleasant chore, and it’s one of those endless battles synonymous with owning a home. However, cleaning your gutters regularly (and then keeping them clean) can save you a lot more in the long haul. Congested gutters won’t do the job they’re intended to do, and the next rainy day might have you bailing out your basement. So make sure you take the time every so often to climb up there and empty your gutters.

Likewise, make sure your gutters’ downspouts are directed properly. If they aren’t directing water to storm drains, or if those drains are themselves clogged, then water damage is inevitable.

Watch the Water Bill

Staring at your water bill certainly won’t prevent water damage, but it might help you get ahead of it. Your house is layered with countless pipes that are gushing with water. If one of those pipes is leaking, your water bill will slowly start to rise. Leaks can turn into breaks, which lead to serious water damage, so be sure to pay attention to your bill and note any strange increases.

Replace Roof Shingles

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a faulty roof can lead to leaks, which can in turn lead to water damage. It’s good practice to visually inspect your roof every so often and repair any broken shingles or damaged flashing as soon as you find them. If there’s significant roof damage, you should contact your local contractor to get it repaired right away.

Water damage can be a headache and then some, but with the right steps and tips, it can be highly preventable.

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