Protecting your Home from Non-Weather Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common causes of property damage.

 

You wouldn’t expect your refrigerator to ruin your kitchen and floors, or even destroy support structures in your home, but it’s actually very possible. 

 

Home water damage can be caused by leaking fixtures and appliances or faulty pipes and hoses. These leaks can range from a trickle that can cause harm overtime, to a sudden burst that can cause immediate impact to your home.

 

Luckily, with a few simple precautions you may greatly reduce the chances of water damaging your home. 

We often forget just how much high-pressure water is flowing through our homes for use in cooking, cleaning and sanitation. Just one compromised conduit could result in heavy damage. That’s why it’s essential to make sure that your home is as safe as possible from water damage and that you know what to do if an accident occurs. With just a few routine checks, you could help prevent catastrophe.

 

Here are some steps to follow to help you easily protect your home from water damage.

Appliances are capable of causing water damage that ranges from damp and moldy carpeting to ruined hardwood or—if left unchecked—possibly even devastating structural damage. You’ll want to make sure to inspect your home’s:

 

Be sure to check the hoses on your washing machine and refrigerator at least annually. If there are any cracks or bulges in the hose, you should have it replaced immediately. Regardless of the hose’s condition, it should always be replaced every five years.

 

• Remove any hoses or attachments from outdoor spigots in the winter to prevent pipes from freezing and cracking.
• Never hang anything from a pipe as this will compromise the joints and supports.
• Add insulation to pipes in areas of your home that get cold easily (garage, basements or crawl spaces).
• Install shut-off valves for all appliances and fixtures to stop the flow of water during an accident and to make repairs easier.

Homes with hard water need to be especially careful to prevent damage to plumbing and appliances. Minerals from hard water, particularly calcium and magnesium, can bind themselves to the interior of pipes and create blockages. In addition to creating jams, they can also eat through the piping, creating small holes that will leak and eventually cause the pipe to collapse. These minerals can also cause serious damage to appliances, destroying hoses and corroding metal, which can ultimately lead to water leakage.

 

You can soften the water in your home by installing a water softening device in your plumbing system. This device will release non-hazardous chemicals into your water that will help fight against the calcium and magnesium buildup. Because one of the main chemicals used to soften water is sodium, it may be wise to keep your “softened” water separate from your drinking water.