Avoiding Water Damage - Protect Your Home

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Anyone who has ever had a severe plumbing problem or has had the misfortune of going through a major storm knows the difficulties that come with water damage. So great is the destruction caused by this life-giving fluid that many homeowners find that the fire department actually does more monetary harm in putting out a blaze than the flames themselves caused. This isn't a slam on fire protection, but a reminder of how destructive water can be to your home. Fixing the problem after the fact can be expensive and difficult, so here are some ways you can protect your home ahead of time.

Outside Water Damage
For many homeowners, their primary source of concern will be flooding from outside the home. There are few ways to prevent a natural disaster, but there are things you can do to make sure your house can stand up to the flooding better than it would have been able to otherwise. One of the best investments of time and money you can make is to make sure your property is designed for excellent drainage. This includes sloping the landscape away from the home so that flooding can't simply pool against the foundation. It also means putting in appropriate gutters to direct rain flow away from the house. Additionally, have your roof professionally inspected so you don't have to worry about surprise leaks.

Plumbing
Of course, water damage doesn't just come from excess rain. In many instances, it comes from within the house itself as the result of faulty plumbing. Slow leaks and sudden bursts alike can cause problems that will be expensive to fix. Not only should you learn how to check your pipes on a regular basis to make sure leaks aren't developing, but also you should have a professional plumber come out and give them a once-over every so often. Don't overlook the hoses leading to your major appliance, either. The ones behind the refrigerator and washing machine deserve specific attention.

Prevention
Some homeowners have gone the extra step to implement systems and tools that will help them prevent water damage. One such example is a shutoff valve easily accessible to everyone in the family. If you have a washing machine that is suddenly flooding your kitchen or a faucet that is spraying everywhere, this is a nice thing to have (assuming you have the presence of mind to hit it in a timely manner). Implementing these types of things in your house will not only give you something to reach for in case of an emergency, but they can also get you discounts on your insurance coverage in many instances.


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