Friday, August 24, 2012

3 Great Tips to Avoid Water Damage


Water damage can destroy your home, your kid's bedrooms, and your man cave in just a few hours. Before you even know it, everything you've worked so hard for can be gone or at best ruined. Here are 3 great tips that will help you avoid water damage in your home.

Tip #1: Check your water bill.

Some of the most severe water damage starts with a drip. Maybe it's something you don't even notice at first or just a few drops that you clean up with a towel. However, even the tiniest cracks in your underground pipes could fill a swimming pool if left unchecked for days. Sometimes the first indication is a spike in your water bill.

Be proactive. Don't be afraid to call the company and ask them to explain the bill to you. Be aware of unusual raises in your bill and get in the habit of knowing how much water you use on average so that no sudden spikes are able to take you off guard. Keep in mind that if water is running for days and days without your knowledge, it's going to show up on your bill.

Tip# 2: Check your appliances

You don't have to check every day, but it's a good idea to check your appliances when you use them. Bathrooms and kitchens are very often the place where water damage begins because they're like water stations in your home. Look for drippy connections and listen for the sound of running water even when all the water is turned off.

Some of the biggest culprits in the house are the ones you should be most familiar with checking:

Dishwashers
The refrigerator
The kitchen sink
Washing machines
Bathtubs
Showers
Toilets
Water heaters
Sump pumps

All of these are the #1 suspects in the event of water damage. If you do suspect a leak, turn of the main water valve to the house and call a professional.

Tip #3: Hardware that can help

If you have a big house or if you travel and you're away a lot, you may want to get a leak detection system for your home. Similar to smoke detectors, leak detectors actually sound an alarm or make some noise when a possible water leak is detected. Some systems measure the moisture in the area or in the house and others measure the water flow to look for variation.

There are 3 main types of leak detection units:

Active alarms
Passive alarms
Appliance alarms.

Active alarms typically implement an alarm and some will actually turn off the water supply if a leak is detected. Passive alarms are more like smoke detectors- they're battery operated and install on the floor or wall. When they get wet, they make a noise. Appliance alarms connect to the individual appliance and shut off the water supply in case of a leak. Some are consumer friendly while others may need a plumber to install.

These 3 helpful tips will help ensure that you and your house will not fall victim to water damage and all that it entails.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7232474

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