How to Defend Your Home Against Common Water Damage
31 July 2023Rain from the monsoons, although usually brings rainy blues, is said to alleviate the predicted hot and dry weather in our country, but it may cause structural damage if not properly addressed. Of course, weather events are a major influence, especially if they lead to floods. However, as anybody who's ever dealt with a burst pipe will attest, issues with your house and lot Philippines internal infrastructure may be just as disastrous.
The harm caused by water may also be both gradual and undetected. In reality, water may cause a wide variety of issues for homes, from simple inconveniences to expensive fixes.
Because of this, it's a good idea to keep a record of everything in your house that has anything to do with water. If problems are found, they must be isolated and prioritized. Preventative measures, like those taken for other types of house upkeep, may save homeowners the expense of major repairs.
What are the Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Home and How to Prevent It
Lots of money and savings are lost every year due to water damage, making it one of the most frequent and expensive calamities that may strike a property. Prevent costly repairs by learning about and using these methods to protect your most valuable possession and preventing water damage.
A. Your Roof
The roof of a house takes the full force of heavy rain and high-speed winds during storms. But severe weather isn't only the main cause of its problem as all roofs eventually wear out and might spring leaks if faulty installation isn't addressed.
Most roofs have a pitch, making them difficult and risky to reach and examine, as well as making early detection of issues difficult.
Clogged gutters
One of the most frequent causes of water damage to roofs is clogged gutters. Cleaning gutters regularly is an easy way for most homeowners to avoid expensive repairs. Tree leaves, weeds, and sludge are the usual suspects in the clogging of roof gutters. Many homeowners do not like cleaning their gutters, which leads to debris building up and eventually blocking the downspouts.
Overflowing water from clogged gutters may cause serious structural damage to a home.
B. Walls, Windows, and Doors
Exterior walls should be inspected from both the interior and outside of the house to detect and control moisture. Water may slowly seep into walls via gaps in the siding, the seams around windows and doors, or the foundation, leading to mold growth or structural damage. Just make sure to use the right kind of caulk to seal any cracks you notice.
Structural damage
Mold and rot may develop if water seeps through your concrete. Be on the lookout for these issues at regular intervals. You can prevent flooding by installing equipment like water detectors that sound when they detect moisture.
C. Basement and Crawl Spaces
Basements and crawl areas need additional care to prevent water damage in the home. Making sure that the water drains away from the home is a good first step. Downspouts from gutters should lead away from the house's structure by a good distance. A rain garden or French drain system can also be another option.
Natural disasters
When dams fail, or typhoons bring in too much water, it might flood your property. Water that is too much for the ground to absorb may rise up and flood your house. An early flood warning system might save your house from destruction in the event of a flood. Some people choose to put in foundation vents or a sump pump.
D. Plumbing System Problems
In our houses, water is always moving from one fixture to another. The comfort and ease of modern plumbing is remarkable. However, serious plumbing problems arise when water flows in the wrong direction.
Broken pipe / burst pipes
Particularly in older structures, plumbing systems may clog and break. Inspect the ceiling and flooring for cracks, bulges, stains, and other indicators of moisture to spot potential plumbing issues before they happen. If you find a leak, it might be an indication of more widespread damage. Increases in your water bill might indicate that there has been significant damage to your home's landscape, flooring, or foundation. There should be no delay in calling a plumber if there is any evidence of water damage to avoid damage, especially on your hardwood floors.
Blocked drains and toilets
There are a various causes of clogged drains, including those in the kitchen sink, toilet, and bathroom floor. The drain may get clogged due to hair, grease accumulation, toiletries, dirt, toys, or other foreign items.
E. Aging Appliances
The hoses that connect your many older appliances to your plumbing system are prone to wear and break. Leaks in machinery can stem from internal operating issues. For early leak detection, a detection system might incorporate sensors underneath all water-using appliances.
Dishwasher
A leaky dishwasher may cause an unsightly pool on the kitchen floor. Worn gaskets, damaged doors, and blocked drains are common contributors. Tile, electrical wire, and paint are all vulnerable to this. A quart of vinegar ran through the dishwasher once a month will keep it clean and free of buildup. Before you fill it up, you may also scrape and rinse it.
Washing machine water supply line leaks
Leaky hoses are the most common culprit in laundry room floods. If you ignore the water leaks, it might become worse and ruin your house. You can stop the six gallons of water a minute from flooding your house by installing a washing machine valve shutdown kit in your main water supply.
Refrigerators
Water from condensation evaporates and drips to the bottom of refrigerators. Clogged drain pipes are another common problem. There might be a lot of water in your house if the water pipe that supplies your ice maker springs a leak. Make sure your fridge is sufficiently insulated to avoid water damage. Avoid repeatedly putting it back in its original position and checking for leaks.
Water heater
Having an old water heater increases the possibility that it may develop a leak. It's the same with water heaters that haven't been serviced or are improperly set up so make sure to check your insurance coverage. Sometimes a tank bursts due to pressure buildup. If the aforementioned reasons are addressed, there is a potential that water damage may be reduced.
It is said that water damage accounts for around 40% of all homeowner losses. Contamination may be spread, paint can be ruined, and timber can be harmed by this. Fortunately, with the right knowledge, 93% of all water damage may be avoided.
One of the best knowledge you must have is where to buy a good home investment in the Philippines. Fortunately, you can now get a quality yet affordable house and lot for sale from Lumina Homes!
Aside from being flood-free communities, our wide variations of affordable house and lot are constructed through the Cast-In Place and Industrialized Building System, ensuring that your brand new home can bear any natural disaster and last for many years. It is also built with reinforced concrete that makes your home durable and safe for the whole family.
Schedule now a site tripping and personally see our ready-for-occupancy units in the Lumina Homes community nearest you!
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