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Flooding and leaks are two of the main causes of structural damage in homes. It can weaken your home’s structure and even its foundation. This is why it’s important for homeowners to do plumbing maintenance and avoid flooding or leaks. In this article, we’ll give you tips on how to protect your home from flooding and water leaks. Call a plumber if you need further assistance.
Make sure that you properly maintain these to avoid leaks in your homes:
- Pipes
- Dishwashers
- Toilets
- Washing machines
- Tubs and showers
- Sinks
- Water heaters
Helpful tips:
1. Check Hoses Regularly
To avoid water damage, ensure that your appliances are properly maintained. Check the washing machine hoses for wear and tear, and for water leaks. Contact a plumber for the replacement of your hoses every 5 to 7 years. If possible, consider replacing rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses. Rubber hoses tend to brittle over time and are susceptible to leaks. With stainless steel hoses, leaks are minimized.
2. Know How to Shut Off Main Water Supply
This is important and everyone in the family must know where this is located and how to exactly turn this off. Should there be a leak, shutting this off will stop the flow of water completely. Keep in mind that a severe pipe leak takes only minutes to cause significant water damage not just to your home but to your appliances as well. You can avoid further water damage when the main water supply is completely shut off. After shutting off the main water supply, get in touch with a professional to help you resolve your plumbing issue.
3. Check Your Sump Pump
Sump Pumps are extremely beneficial to your homes especially if you have a basement. A sump pump can remove build-up of water in the basement and deposits it into the wastewater system. It can prevent flooding in your basement, reduce mold, reduce fire risk and can even increase the value of your home. But just like your other appliances, sump pumps need to be properly maintained too. You need to make sure that they work. Make sure that you hire a plumber for routine sump pump maintenance.
4. Check for Leaks
Undetected leaks can lead to major plumbing emergencies. This is why homeowners must proactively check for plumbing leaks in their homes. They need to check underneath their sinks and around appliances such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, washing machines and refrigerators for stray water. Never ignore minor leaks as they could be a costly plumbing repair down the road if not properly resolved. When you detect a leak, call a professional asap so they can help you fix the problem.
5. Properly Insulate Your Pipes
During winter, make it a point to insulate exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing. Frozen pipes may burst and explode in worst-case scenarios. You want to avoid this at all costs. Otherwise, you risk structural damage to your home and extremely costly repairs and replacements.
While insulating your pipes can help, you can also use a smart thermostat to set your water temperature to at least 10 degrees Celsius. Your pipes need warm water circulating so they do not freeze. You can always call a plumber in Rockwall, TX if you need assistance with properly insulating your pipes.
6. Watch Out for Moisture and Mold
Mold and moisture are signs that there might be leaks in your pipes. Watch out for them and call a plumber right away so they can do something about the leaks. Excess water can create musty smells when it is absorbed by drywall or wood – watch out for these odors and do something about it immediately. Flaking wallpaper or paint is also a common sign of moisture.
Keep in mind that molds don’t only damage your home but are also harmful to your health. When you are constantly exposed to mold, it leads to health issues such as nasal congestion, throat irritation, cough and skin irritation.
7. Install a Leak Detection Device
If you have leak detection and there is water in the specific area, it will trigger an alarm and will shut off your main water supply. This is an incredibly helpful tool for homeowners as it can prevent flooding. Leak detection devices can also inform the homeowner that there is a leak in their home. You can install these sensors in your bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen. Make sure that you call a professional plumber to help you with the installation.
8. Clean the Gutters
Standing water can damage your roof and your gutter, and eventually your foundation if you do not do something about it. To avoid blockage, make sure that you clean your gutters at least twice a year.
9. Check the Water Pressure
High water pressure can damage your pipes and your hoses, and it will eventually cause leaks. If you do not know how to check your water pressure, hire a plumber for assistance. They can install a water pressure regulator to reduce the pressure from your main water line.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North East Dallas
Our plumbers can help you resolve any water issue from your pipes or appliances. We have been helping residents of Rockwall, TX remedy their plumbing problems effectively and efficiently. Rest assured, your issue will be resolved during the first visit. If you need a plumber, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our professional team is more than happy to assist and walk you through the entire process. Call us at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North East Dallas today for an appointment.
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