Regardless of what time of year it is, there are always ways to make changes to your property in order to avoid water damage.
Here are 7 items that can help prevent water damage from wreaking havoc at home!
1. How old is your sprinkler system? Older sprinkler systems risk cracked or broken pipes both above and below ground. If the ground gets too saturated, it may flow into your basement.
2. Check out your roof. It’s easy to forget about the roof as it’s difficult to see without climbing up. But a missing shingle, hail or wind damage, or an improperly installed vent, flue or chimney can result in a leaky roof.
3. Trim away branches and overgrown landscaping. Constant friction between a branch and your siding or roof can lead to cracks and holes, which could result in a slow leak.
4. Clean and inspect outside windows and doors. Water and moisture can seep in if they aren’t regularly maintained. Repair or replace caulking, weather stripping or seals as appropriate.
5. Check around crawl spaces and the foundation for any signs of a leak. Poor or compacted insulation may be a sign of water damage, and should be replaced.
6. Check for moisture in areas where you haven’t watered. A puddle either inside or outside could indicate a leak, drip or crack. This can be a sign of a potentially bigger problem, including flooding and mold.
7. Check new additions or repairs. Have you had a new addition added to your home, or replaced or repaired a chimney, air conditioner, attic fan or cooling system over the past year? After the long hard winter, check around the new addition to make sure everything is intact.
