Water Damage Prevention and Restoration
This free course shows how to prevent water damage and keep your home secure. You will learn the exact steps needed to identify and stop water leaks that could lead to a major disaster.
Simple tasks, such as clearing out gutters and inspecting the roof, could stop a disaster from happening. Specialists claim that more than 93 percent of all cases of water damage can be prevented.
The first thing you should do is to check your water bills for unexpectedly high usage. If you notice anything unusual, you might have water leaking in your home. Another thing you can do to is to stop using water for two or three hours. Read the water meter before and after. The reading should be the same.
To check your toilet tank, pour a drop of paint or ink in it. If the colored liquid ends up in the toilet in 10-15 minutes without flushing, there could be leaks. Homeowners can also use automatic water shutoff systems and water leak alarms to spot leaks quickly. Fix any drips as soon as you see them. It's a minor expense that could save you a fortune in the long run.
If your house is equipped with a heating system, get it checked by a plumber regularly. The same goes for your toilet. Replace hoses on dishwashers and other home appliances from the first signs of wear. Use quality replacement parts that will last for years.
Check your plumbing system once every few months. Look for signs of moisture, wear and tear, rust-stained water, or noisy pipes. For further protection, install a reliable sump pump in your basement. If you already have one that doesn’t get used frequently, perform a test run to make sure it works. Consider installing a backwater valve too. This simple addition to your home could save you thousands of dollars in water damage repair services.
Homeowners who live in cold areas should regularly check their roofs for snow and ice buildup. Even though most buildings are designed to withstand harsh winters, built-up snow can cause serious damage. Thus, it's important to look for water stains or rings, droplets, blistering, unusual structural creaking, ceiling warping, and cracks on indoor walls. These signs often indicate structural damage caused by snow or ice. If you don’t fix the problem in a timely manner, water damage can occur.
Another common source of water damage is the washing machine. The best way to prevent accidents is to shut off the valves on the wall behind the washing machine after each use. Replace the hoses at the slightest sign of wear and tear. If you have a water heater at home, replace it before the end of its life expectancy. These basic safety measures can protect your house or apartment, and even save your life.
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Each year, the Red Cross helps thousands of people who have lost their homes because of water damage, fires, explosions, transportation accidents and other man-made disasters. Victims count on our volunteers to help them get their lives back on track and survive tough times. We are grateful for the generosity of those who support our efforts to make this world a better place (donate here).
More about Orange Restoration San Diego: Orange-Restoration.com