Prevent Water Damage With These Quick Plumbing Checks

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Water damage is one of the most devastating disasters that can happen to your home. From leaking roofs to rising flood water to small, persistent drips, water can cause significant, expensive damage to any building.

Fixing a plumbing problem after the water damage occurs is not the end of the story. For extensive damage, complete water damage restoration may involve water removal, subsequently drying of the area, and disinfecting and deodorizing the area to remove odor and subsequent mold growth.

It's better to be on top of potential plumbing problems, because by the time you notice a water problem or plumbing emergency occurs, the damage is often extensive and costly to fix.

Be sure to make these plumbing checks at least twice a year:

First, check your home's main shutoff valve. No matter what sort of plumbing leak or disaster you may have, your main shutoff valve is critical to stopping the water flow at the source.

Examine your kitchen and bath sinks and pipes, particularly where the trap meets the wall. Water leaks often occur behind a sink cabinet. In addition, the p-track often the first place where backed-up water will overflow. The valves and supply lines should also be examined to make sure they are in good working condition.

In the bathroom, check around your toilet for signs of leaks. The wax seal under the toilet is most common area for leaks and water damage. This seal is a circular form of wax that connects and seals the toilet to the drain flange beneath. One sign of potential damage is if the toilet wobbles. This could mean the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor are loose or worn. This can cause the wax seal to crack or break. Water (and other material) may leak, causing discoloration to the ceiling on the floor below.

The tub and shower area is another area that can sustain water damage, cause structural damage and mold growth. Check the caulking around the tub, showerhead, and the tub spout and handles. If the caulking is cracked or missing, remove the remainder with a putty knife and replace it with fresh caulking.

Broken washing machine hoses can quickly cause a large amount of flooding and damage. If you observe any bubbles on the hose, replace it immediately. Braided, stainless steel hoses should be used. They are stronger and last longer than rubber hoses. The valves that the hoses attach to should also be checked.

By keeping up on potential trouble spots, you can keep small leaks from becoming a costly disaster!


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