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5 Tips to Prevent Water Damage to Your Home

Utah Flood Damage Repair Company

Salt Lake flood damage repair done by AAA Restoration.

Water damage is something no one wishes to face. It can be expensive to repair a home hit by flood damage. Though there is no way to predict floods, you can protect your house from being severely affected in case one happens.

First; note that deterioration to a home can happen even when there is no rain. In fact, flooding is just the tipping point. For a home to sustain massive water damage, especially when not in a low-lying area, there has to have been leaks and cracks left unattended. Homeowners can use a checklist to help them cover all the bases and prevent their houses from getting damaged in flood.

1. Point downspouts away from the house

Downspouts in a right angle can force water toward your home’s foundation instead of away from it. During heavy downpours, the volume and force of the water as it comes down causes the soil around the house to be inundated.

Fixing the angle of the downspout and pointing it away from the foundation is a simple fix that has a big impact.

2. Check the caulking or sealants

Inspect window casings and outer corners of walls for missing caulk. Cracks should be filled in no matter how small they are. Water can accumulate and make these holes bigger in time; it is better to repair something while it is still manageable than try and mitigate disasters.

Check for signs of water leaks inside the home. Common indicators include mold spots, crumbling plaster, and air bubbles on the paint. Termite activity can also be a sign of water damage.

3. Determine soil grading around the house

Grading your soil away from the foundation will help prevent water from pooling at the bases of your home. Ramp the soil down and toward the street. Pack it in as well; you do not want the soil to soak in water. Ideally, most of the floodwater should just move along on top.

4. Inspect the roof system

Make sure the roof is ready to withstand rains and protect the rest of the house from water damage. Repair entire sections if necessary, and look for moss growth or damage from nearby trees. Keep chimneys covered when not in use.

Gutters and downspouts must be cleaned regularly. Water spilling from packed or clogged gutters will compromise the soil under your home. Adding ice dam protections to the roof can help prevent water from leaking into the attic.

5. Make upgrades specific to flood-proofing

An electronic water leak detection system can help with better monitoring. The sensor is installed on the main water supply to monitor water flow, pressure, and temperature. The owner is notified of leaks and burst pipes, as well as changes in water pressure.

Installing a sump pump can also help prevent interior flooding. When the water rises to a certain level in the sump pit, it triggers a mechanism that starts the pump and drains water away from the house.

Using plastic PEX pipes will also help prevent water damage. Traditional copper pipes can develop leaks, especially old ones. Unlike copper, plastic pipes will not rust, making the pipe system of the home more durable.

Conclusion

Keeping a home protected against flooding starts long before warnings of an upcoming storm. A homeowner should be responsible for monitoring sources of water leaks and remedying these as soon as possible.

For water damage restoration in Salt Lake City, contact our team at AAA Restoration Utah today. We can help you with all the water damage repairs in Utah!

Check out our most recent blog post here: Equipment Used In Water Damage Repair