Tips to Prevent Water Damage from Household Leaks
February 26, 2010
One doesn’t need to be faced with a big flood in order to experience water damage. There are many things within the home that can cause small leaks and this can be just as bad as having a basement flood during a storm. Fortunately there are some things which can be done.
Often, where there is a tiny leak, it can go unnoticed for weeks or even months on end. That’s not to say there’s no way of finding them. Ensure that one knows how to read the water meter then turn off all faucets and any appliances that may use water. Keep checking every few minutes over the course of an hour or so. If the value stays the same then there’s no leak. If it increases, even if this is negligible, there might be a leak somewhere that needs to be addressed.
Water damage in the bathroom can not only cause discoloration of the tiles but it can also be dangerous since it makes it very easy to slip. The biggest culprit in this is the caulking around fixtures such as the bathtub and toilet. Check these areas for any signs of cracks or mold growth. If one notices any of these, re-caulking will have to be done. However, it’s also a good idea to call in a plumber to ensure that pipes within the wall aren’t leaking and causing the effects seen.
Air conditioning units are notorious for developing small leaks. If they’re the sort which are placed outside the home then this may not be a problem, but inside units can easily cause water damage to flooring. It’s a good idea to have all air condition units in the home checked by a trained technician once a year or so. This will determine if there are any obstructions and allow for the problem to be dealt with before it really becomes an issue.
Washing machines, by their very nature, deal with water. Unfortunately that water has a bad habit of seeping through any loose or deteriorating hoses. The amount may be so small initially that it’s easy to miss, especially if it settles under the machine. Washing machine hoses should be inspected every couple of months to ensure that the connection is secure and it doesn’t need to be replaced. The same goes for any machine that regularly uses water, such as the dishwasher.
Pipe cleaners are a homeowner’s friend. Don’t be afraid to use them. There are many products on the market which simply need to be poured down the drain and they remove any sludge that may have built up. Obstructions are one of the most common causes of pipe leakages so it’s important to deal with them early.
