How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage Woes

Let’s set the scene: you have been out all day with your kids at the Connecticut Tigers game followed by a family dinner at your favorite restaurant. After pulling into your driveway exhausted and looking forward to collapsing on the sofa with a good book you discover that your basement is flooded with a foot of water while a pipe burst sprays with the velocity of a strong faucet. Try assessing that damage in your head!

According to the American Insurance Association, water damage claims have been growing faster than any other disaster covered by homeowners insurance. This fact speaks loud and clear that more homes and businesses are incurring the wrath of water damage that could otherwise play second fiddle to another type of disaster if only people knew how to lower their chances of experiencing water damage. By following some important tips, you can help protect your home’s integrity and lower your chances of having to call a water damage Connecticut company to remove all the water and restore your home back to its original condition.

How Can I Prevent Water Damage from Bad Weather?

Although we lack the ability to control the weather, homeowners and businesses can take certain steps to help prevent water damage from devastating their structure in the event of a flood or heavy rain. It is advantageous to have a professional inspect your roof for potential leaks while the weather is still pleasant. In many cases water can seep under roof tiles and slowly start leaking into the home causing gradual wood rot before the water actually bubbles the ceiling and drips into the home. Roof inspections are inexpensive, but repairing a water damaged roof, attic and ceiling can cost thousands. If your home its situated near a river, stream, lake or any body of water, you should sandbag your home a day or two before a big storm is predicted to strike. Sandbags act as a retention wall keeping most water from flowing into your home’s foundation and under your doors. If you live at the base of a large hill engage in a summer project of digging a trench about 20 feet from the incline. Heavy rain can cause mudslides to send muddy water crashing into your home, but a trench lined with plastic that is weighted down with rocks can help prevent or greatly minimize the damage.

How Can I Prevent a Pipe Burst?

According to most water damage technicians, pipe bursts cause most home floods and water damage disasters across the country. It is a good idea to have a home inspector come out and examine your plumbing for any flaws. This is especially recommended for those who bought homes built around the turn of the century, as Victorian homes and those venturing into the 1920s often used cast iron or clay pipes—materials that crack more easily and eventually breakdown. You should also go to your local hardware store and pick up a water tester. If your home has hard water mineral deposits can form in your pipes and cause blockage. As the blockage expands, pressure builds and a burst is inevitable. If hard water is indeed present you can buy an inexpensive water softener, but you may want to have your pipes inspected to make sure there isn’t already a damaging level of mineral deposits. Also, make sure your pipes run through areas that are insulated. Cold weather can cause the water in pipes to freeze resulting in pressure building that can cause a pipe burst.

How Can I Protect my Business from Water Damage?

Following the same points of advice as listed above will help, but unlike your home your business likely gets foot traffic coming in, and multiple people are probably using your bathroom.  You can’t always monitor how customers are treating your plumbing, but there are steps to take to encourage people to be more mindful of their bathroom habits. Post a sign reminded people not to flush things like diapers, paper towels or feminine sanitary products. Investing in a sink that has a timed water flow will greatly reduce your risk of water damage. A recreational center in Wheatfield, New York suffered $1,500 worth of water damage because someone left the hot water running in the men’s locker room. A time sensitive sink releases minimal amounts of water each time the user pushes a button. This kind of technology can save your wallet from having to shelve out dollars to remediate a water damage situation caused by a careless client.