Could learning to live without indoor plumbing prevent home water damage? Actually, not—there's always the possibility of outdoor floodwaters inundating your house, too. Drastic measures aren't required to reduce these risks to an acceptable level, however. And, should an incident occur, our qualified water damage recovery professionals are ready to respond, 24/7/365. In the meantime, reducing the odds that you'll need these services is a doable goal by following proven precautions to prevent home water damage. Here are just three:
- Know where your main water shutoff valve is and make sure it works. If an indoor pipe ruptures, hundreds of gallons could be discharged as you frantically search for the house shutoff. If the home is built on a concrete slab, the shutoff will be indoors along the main water line, normally near the water heater. If the home has a basement, the shutoff valve is located where the main water line enters the basement—usually, at the front foundation wall. Other locations are also possible, so ask a plumber if you can't find it. Also, test the valve annually to verify that it operates freely.
- Maintain the water heater. According to the Institute For Business & Home Safety, the odds that your water heater tank will leak—or rupture entirely and flood the house—begin increasing once the unit exceeds five years old. Fully 75% of water heaters fail before they reach the 12-year mark. Flush sediment from the tank twice a year to reduce internal corrosion. Have the heater inspected by a plumber annually to detect early signs of tank failure.
- Install a sump pump. If you have a basement, it's a common source of water damage through chronic seepage and rising ground water. As the lowest point in the home, it's also a destination for any flooding that occurs anywhere else in the house from any source. A sump pump automatically removes ground water seeping through the foundation. Should indoor events like a ruptured water line occur, the sump pump also protects the basement from flooding.
For more ways to prevent home water damage, talk to a professional at Rytech, Inc.
