When you own a home that makes you proud, it’s important to keep every inch of it safe from damage. If you live somewhere that often has rain, hurricanes, or flooding, you may have to watch out for water making its way into your home.

Hiring a professional can help when you need to prevent or fix water damage in your house. But it helps to know what causes this damage in the first place. Here is a guide to keeping your home safe from water damage.

Inspect Your Roof Regularly

Source: Pinterest

It’s important to check on the status of your roof, especially before and after a storm. Also, you should be inspecting your roof at least once a year. You or a professional can check for missing, damaged, or old shingles on your roof. Identifying problems and patching up holes can help prevent leaks.

Reseal the Basement

Source: Pinterest

Cracks in your floor slabs or foundations can cause water to flood the basement. Always make sure your basement walls and floors are waterproof. You can easily paint over any cracks with a water sealant to stop damages.

Make sure to put any belongings in the basement on shelves. That way, any sewer backups or water leaks won’t be able to damage them. Waterproof bins are also a great way to make sure your belongings are protected.

Water damage restoration companies generally have waterproofing and basement sealing services. Contact a company near you to find out more.

Replace Your Pipes

Source: Pinterest

You can tell a pipe has been leaking when it has dark spots underneath it, or if you notice these spots on your ceiling. Many pipes break down from old age. Usually, piping in homes lasts around 50-80 years. If you have an older house, it’s a good idea to get a professional to inspect their condition.

Buy Water Detection Devices

Water detectors are electronic devices that sound an alarm when it comes into contact with water or moisture. You can get devices to put over all the appliances that are likely to leak. This includes washing machines, water heaters, sump pumps, and dishwashers. They can detect low moisture levels and slower leaks that you might have overlooked.

Make Sure You Have Good Drainage

Source: Pinterest

If you have bad drainage in your home, it can cause cracks in the foundation that let in water. That’s why it’s important to look out for methods to improve your drainage. Ensure that you:

• Clean your gutters. When it gets clogged, water can run down the side of your house and allow the foundation to deteriorate. It’s an annoying chore to do, but it’s an important one!
• Direct downspouts away from your house. They should direct water 5 to 10 feet away from your foundation.
• Slope your yard away from the house. You may have to purchase topsoil to fix the slope, but it’s worth it to make sure water can’t cascade into your home.
• Keep your soil moist. This may seem backward, but if the soil around your house gets too dry, it can shrink and then expand again the next time it rains. Use a hose to water six inches from the foundation and three inches beneath the soil to prevent it from drying.

In Conclusion

To keep water from damaging your house, you have to make sure your house is in peak condition. Checking your roof, pipes, and drainage regularly can help prevent these problems.

When you have water damage or mold, it’s important to contact a professional right away. The longer the problem sits, the more harm it can cause to your house. Don’t wait–take action to protect your home now!