At ServiceMaster in Rochester, we understand that water damage is a nightmare scenario for most homeowners. Simply reminding people about coming home to a flooded living room raises blood pressure and anxiety levels. Fortunately, in Rochester MN we have a lot of water each year from rain, and spring snowmelt. Unfortunately, this can often be the cause of flooded basements and water damage. Leaking pipes, a broken sump pump, or cracks in your attic and roof are also ways that your home or business can be impacted by water damage.
The team at ServiceMaster in Rochester has compiled a list of some preventive measures that you can take right now to prevent and prepare for any flooding in your home and subsequent water damage. These steps are simple in practice and can all be accomplished in the span of a Saturday afternoon. Here’s a list of things you can do inside and outside of your house to keep it free of flooding and water damage:
OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE:
#10 CHECK AND CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS
When was the last time you checked your gutters and downspouts to see how backed up they were? If the answer is “Eh, sometime last year,” you need to get on that! It’ll be no surprise that your gutters and downspouts will be stuffed with leaves, debris, and dirt this is Rochester MN remember!
Any potential clogs can interfere with rain’s ability to properly drain through. Clogs in your gutters or downspouts can cause water to spill over the sides or over the top causing rain to run down your home’s side. This has the potential to cause, you guessed it, flooding and water damage in your home.
So grab some gloves, a rake, and the kids to help, and get those gutters and downspouts clean!
#9: PLANT TREES, BUSHES, AND OTHER VEGETATION AROUND YOUR HOME
If your yard is relatively flat, or you have a home that has a yard sloped into it, having a solid drainage system might not be enough to combat even the lightest of rainstorms and prevent flooding or water damage. Fortunately, plants, trees, and bushes can help improve your yard’s drainage system. Trees and bushes have long, complex root systems that can help “soak up” rainwater. In addition, vegetation in your yard can slow the flow of water making it less likely to make it to your home and cause any flooding. A final plus, adding vegetation to your yard can improve the curb appeal of your home!
#8: DISCONNECT YOUR HOSES
A real simple outside task- disconnect your hoses! Any leftover standing water in your outside hoses can freeze during the winter, expand, and burst, breaking your hoses and can cause all sorts of havoc on your home. Be on the safe side and always disconnect your hoses at the change of seasons and store the hoses away from your home if possible.
#7: INSPECT YOUR SUMP PUMP EVERY YEAR
Having your sump pump break can be another nightmare and cause water to leak into your house from the outside. It’s not a cheap fix either, with the average sump pump fix costing over $1,000. By checking the performance of your sump pump at least once a year, you will be able to spot any issues and make smaller repairs to extend its life and prevent any potential flooding due to a failure.
#6: INSPECT YOUR ROOF AND ATTIC FOR LEAKS OR HOLES
Your home’s roof and attic are often overlooked areas for water damage. It’s a clear case of “out of sight, out of mind.” But a leaking roof can cause a whole host of problems. Inspecting your roof once a year for missing or damaged tiles, holes, or other damage is a great way to spot leaks before they become out of control and cause water damage. If you are noticing some damage to your roof, inspect your attic and take stock of how bad the water damage is.
INSIDE YOUR HOUSE:
#5: CHECK YOUR WATER-BASED APPLIANCES
There are several water-based appliances inside your home that can cause major water damage if they fail. The biggest ones include your washing machine, kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, shower or bathtub, dishwasher, refrigerator, and toilets. If an appliance has a water supply connection, check for cracks, holes, and any leaking water. If the lines are looking worn, it is time to replace them. With sinks, showers, bathtubs, or toilets, check the floors around them. If there appears to be mold growing or the area appears to be wet, it might be time to dig a little deeper and see if there are any cracks in the supply lines or the appliance itself.
#4: FIX LEAKS IMMEDIATELY – DON’T WAIT
If you have a known leak inside your home, don’t wait to get it repaired. We know it seems tempting to just throw some tape around a leaking pipe and put a full repair on the back burner, but that strategy can really backfire. Because of the fluctuations in water pressure in supply lines, humidity, weather, and overall water usage, you may underestimate the size of a leak. It might be a slow drip in the morning and a complete flood by night. It is imperative that any known leaks are fixed with a more permanent solution or lines are completely replaced.
#3: CHECK YOUR WATER BILL FOR UNUSUAL SPIKES
A tell-tale sign that something is wrong is your monthly water bill. If there’s a spike in one month compared to the previous (and there’s not a known reason), there could be a large water leak, and a subsequent flood, somewhere in your home. Take time to inspect!
Start in areas that could be a culprit: your water heater, toilets, main water supply lines, your outside hoses. Chances are, you’ll find the leak pretty quick! If you don’t find a leak, and you’re not sure where the problem lies, have a professional team like ServiceMaster of Rochester come and help you find the issue!
#2: CLEAR ANY CLOGS WITH A DRAIN SNAKE
A very easy way to break your pipes is to use liquid drain cleaners like Drain-O to clear any clogged drains or pipes. The chemicals found in those drain cleaners can eat away at the PVC and metal causing leaks and cracks. Sounds simple, but opt for a drain snake for your next clog. Your pipes will thank you!
#1: CALL SERVICEMASTER OF ROCHESTER TO
INSPECT YOUR HOME
If you’re unsure of how prone your home is, inside and out, to flooding and water damage, have the team at ServiceMaster inspect your home. We have many years of experience in Rochester and the surrounding area and can recommend different techniques and strategies to keep your home safe. Call us today!
