Top 4 Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

The damage from water can be one of the most expensive and devastating ways a house can be ruined. While water damage isn’t always preventable, there are steps you can take as a homeowner to ensure your house doesn’t fall victim to the ravages of water.

Install Floor Pans

Dishwashers, refrigerators, and water heaters are the appliances most responsible for significant leaking and subsequent damages. A good way to mitigate the damage that can occur is by installing floor pans underneath these appliances. If there is a small and slow leak, these pans will contain the leak and prevent damage to the hardwood or subflooring underneath.

Purchase a Water Flow Monitoring System

These systems are connected to the main water flow of your house. Their job is to monitor the water flow throughout your house. If it finds that there is an abnormal flow of water into your house, like a leak from your toilet, it will shut off the water to your house and alert you to the leak.

Redirect Pooling Water Outside the House

If there’s an area in your yard where rainwater pools significantly, you should take care to redirect it as soon as you notice it. Even if it’s a short distance away from your house, it can eventually creep into your house through the foundation. You can change the grading of your property so that it slopes away from your house and directs any pooling water away from the building. If there have been leaks, have a company such as Brothers Plumbing Ltd. in Toronto or one near you install a waterproof membrane in the structure of your home where the leaks have penetrated in order to protect the integrity of your house.

Take Care of the Roof

Consider your roof as the first defense against water damage. When it rains, your roof is the first thing to come in contact with the moisture, and if it’s weak or damaged, it can start an expensive chain of events and damages. Remember that all of the venting in your attic needs to be especially protected. This venting is supposed to keep your attic air flowing, but it needs to be properly maintained to prevent water from entering. Keep an eye on the roof soffits, too. They must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent gapping between the soffit and the roof framing.

Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t often cover the full amount of damages that can be inflicted by water damage. Whether it’s a hidden leak that’s ravaged the internal structure of your home or a catastrophic flood, the damage can be the same. Do what you can to ensure your home is protected from water damage and you’ll reap the benefits in the case of an emergency water leak.