If you are a homeowner or plan on becoming one, then there is one concern that you should always keep an eye out for on your property: water damage. When water collects or spills where it shouldn’t in and around your home, there are multiple dangers that can manifest, making the property unsafe for you and your family.
Porous building materials can absorb water and become weaker or start to rot. Possessions can be ruined forever by the presence of moisture, especially furniture. The presence of moisture can also cause mold growth, which will reduce the air quality of your home and put all occupants at risk of certain health issues like respiratory problems or infections.
As a homeowner or future homeowner in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, protecting your property from water damage should be a top priority. Not only can unwanted water make the home unsafe, but it can also cost you a lot of money to deal with if it is left alone for too long. Here are some steps you can take to prevent water damage in Chester Springs, PA.
Take Care of Water Appliances
One of the main culprits of water damage in a home is aging water appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, and other pieces of equipment use a lot of water to function, and the older they are, the more prone they are to leaks or breaks. The result could be a slow trickle of water into your kitchen or laundry room, but it could also be much more dramatic.
Either way, keeping up with water appliance maintenance can prevent many of these issues. If appliances are getting very old or too hard to maintain, it wouldn’t hurt to replace them with newer models. Just make sure the new appliances are installed correctly to avoid potential water damage.
Clean Gutters
For the most part, most homes have a gutter system to improve drainage off the roof and keep water away from the foundation. Unfortunately, gutters often become clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris. When gutters cannot drain correctly, that water needs another place to go, which usually ends up being the roof or right around the foundation of your house.
You don’t want water in either of those places. Water that collects on your roof can easily seep into the upper areas of the house. Water around the foundation can get into small cracks or imperfections in the stone and leak into the basement. The simplest way to avoid this problem is to clear out your gutters once or twice a year.
Update Old Siding
Siding is meant to protect the home from the elements and keep it insulated. Unfortunately, the older your siding material is, the less effective it will be at serving its purpose. It may be time to update your siding to ensure the home’s interior is protected from rain and melting snow.
Some building materials are especially poor in terms of longevity and water damage protection, particularly stucco. If your Chester Springs home has this type of siding, then a stucco remediation project may be your best chance of preventing water damage in the long run.
Inspect Windows and Doors
Gaps are left in the framework of your house in order to accommodate windows and doors. Sometimes, those gaps are improperly sealed and insulated, making them a culprit of water leaks when it rains. Even if the gaps were treated properly, time can result in the caulk or insulation wearing down.
Inspecting your windows and doors for drafts or small leaks regularly is an important routine to get into. If you ever notice droplets forming around the edges of your windows or doors, then there could be a compromise in the seal. The solution could be as simple as re-caulking the cracks, but it may also require a full replacement.
Keep Drains Clear
Your home has multiple drain systems to get rid of water that is used. Drains can be located in dishwashers, sinks, bathtubs, and wash basins. If these drains have too much debris, then water may not properly exit the basin after use and could spill over into the rooms in your home. Having some cleaning agents that can clear out drain pipes, as well as a drain snake, can make it easy to clear out these clogged drains whenever you notice that they are starting to slow down.
Take Quick Action if You Suspect Water Damage Is Happening
The worst thing you could do is ignore evidence of water damage in your Chester Springs, PA home. The longer you wait, the more serious the damage will become, likely costing you thousands of dollars in the future.
The sooner you address the problem, the less expensive the solution will be. Follow the steps listed above to prevent water damage from occurring in the first place, but if it does manifest in your house, respond immediately to prevent further damage.
