Top 6 Tips to Prevent Water & Fire Damage This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, it's important to be mindful of your home’s potential water and fire hazards. We want you to have a relaxing holiday break, and you can’t do that if you’re worried about malfunctioning appliances or structural components.

Our restoration team in Midland wants to help you avoid any water damage and fire damage. By following these simple tips, you can keep your home safe and dry throughout the holidays and avoid costly repairs.

1. Check Your Gutters and Downspouts to Make Sure They’re Clear of Leaves and Debris

The holiday season is a great time to think about tasks that may get overlooked during the rest of the year, like performing gutter cleaning. Ensuring your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other debris is essential to ensure water flows freely away from your home and prevents water-related damage. Don’t wait until the weather becomes warm again. Take care of it now before water causes serious damage to your property.

2. Inspect Your Roof for Any Missing or Damaged Shingles

Taking the time to inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles can mean the difference between roof restoration and roof replacement costs. Severe weather and storms can wreak havoc on roof tiles, so it’s important to perform regular inspections so that you don’t incur any additional damage from unexpected bad weather. Replacing missing or damaged shingles sooner rather than later can save time and money, so it’s worth taking a few moments to thoroughly look over your roof every 8-12 months.

3. Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Working Properly in Case of Flooding

While sump pumps are reliable for the most part, it’s important to ensure yours is in good shape before the rainy season hits. In fact, Midland County is an area vulnerable to flooding because of our proximity to the Tittabawassee River.

Check your sump pump regularly and if any issues arise, investigate sump pump repair right away to help avoid unwanted water damage. In the worst-case scenario, you may even need restoration services to help alleviate any lasting effects. Taking proactive steps like sump pump maintenance can potentially save a lot of time and money in the long run and a huge headache during the holidays.

4. Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill – If It Spikes, There May Be a Leak

Water conservation and energy efficiency are key factors in protecting our natural resources. Paying extra attention to your water bill is one surefire way to keep track of water usage. If it tends to fluctuate from month to month, it may be a sign that you have a water leak somewhere on your property. That could be an expensive water-waste situation. Fortunately, there are many ways you can take control. Have an experienced technician perform an assessment every now and then just to ensure things are functioning.

5. Keep Holiday Candles Away from Flammable Objects

When using candles this holiday season, keep fire safety in mind. Remember, fire damage can be severe and require weeks or months to resolve. Also, water damage from firefighting efforts can cause an additional burden of cleaning and restoration after a fire. Taking the proper precautions when using candles can help you avoid fire damage this holiday season.

To prevent fire accidents, ensure that candles are:

• Placed on non-flammable surfaces
• Spaced away from each other
• A safe distance away from any flammable objects or materials
• Extinguished before you go to bed or leave the house

Christmas decorations are prime holiday fire starters, with 790 home structure fires started annually because of decorations. By following these simple steps, you will be able to enjoy your holidays while minimizing the chances of a holiday fire.

6. Don't Leave Food Out, As It Can Attract Pests That Could Damage Your Home

Avoid leaving food out if you don’t want your home to suffer any damages due to pest infestations. Unwanted pests such as ants, cockroaches, and rodents can be attracted easily by the presence of food and create many problems. Not only do they cause property damage, but home restoration could become necessary if the infestation gets out of hand. Spare yourself from all kinds of trouble, and make sure any holiday food not being eaten is either refrigerated or disposed of properly.

ServiceMaster Restoration by FUSON Is Here if You Need Restoration Services During the Holidays

As the weather gets colder, it’s important to take some time to prepare your home for any potential damage that could be caused by severe weather or an unexpected event. By taking simple steps, you can help mitigate any holiday disasters and have a worry-free peaceful season.

Still, if an unexpected disaster does strike and you find yourself dealing with water or fire damage at a moment’s notice this holiday season, don’t hesitate to contact our Midland restoration service team.