With so many things in live, prevention is better than cure, also true for water damage. If you live in a summer rainfall area this is the time to prepare your home for what is predicted to be a “heavy rainy season”.
Investigate existing leaks and cracks
The best way to prevent water damage from rainwater is to ensure the exterior materials of the building are properly constructed and maintained. Check the following areas for leaks or evidence of old leaks:
Windows and doors: Check for leaks around your windows and doors, especially near the corners. Check for peeling paint, it can be a sign of water leaking in somewhere. Inspect for discolouration in paint or caulking, swelling of the window or doorframe or surrounding materials.
Roof: Repair or replace roof tiles around any area that allows water to penetrate the roof. Ensure that if you have a tile roof, that the tiles are always in position and that they are not cracked. Also ensure that your roof is sealed properly around chimneys and plumbing vents.
Foundation and exterior walls: Seal any cracks and holes in external walls, joints, and foundations, in particular, examine locations where piping or wiring extends through the outside walls. Fill all cracks in these locations with sealant.
Plumbing: Check for leaking faucets, dripping or ‘sweating’ pipes, clogged drains, leaking geysers and faulty water drainage systems regularly.
Preventing future leaks
Maintenance is key to protecting your home against future leaks and will save you money in the long run. You can prevent water damage by doing the following:
Clean your gutters
The most important step you can take to preventing floods is to make sure your gutters are free of leaves, dirt and sticks. Poor roof drainage is the number one cause of leaks. A clogged gutter will cause massive problems by concentrating roof runoff water at your house’s corners close to the foundation. A clogged gutter might even be the reason why the walls of your home are cracked. All gutters should be connected to downspouts. These should point away from your home and have splash blocks at the end to carry water away from the foundation.
Maintain equipment that uses water to function
Interestingly most of the water damage caused to homes is not due to rain but to malfunctioning appliances. It is important to ensure that these items are well maintained.
Washing machine: Regularly clean your washing machine’s filter and replace pipes once a year. Check these hoses regularly and replace if it seems warped, discoloured or lose.
Fridge: Most modern fridges come with an icemaker which requires a constant water supply. Always ensure that the hose is secured and in good condition. Also ensure that you close the fridge door properly at all times, as a fridge that defrosts can also cause some damage.
Dishwasher: Check for leaks under the sink often where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discoloured, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
The sink: Taps and pipes should be checked often and fixed at the first sign of even the slightest leak. Also make it priority not to stuff food and other big particles down your drain, as a blocked drain can also cause some big trouble.
Tip: Always switch off the water supply to your home when encountering a leak. This will not only help save you money, but will also prevent any further flooding or water damage.
Inspect your garden
Irrigation: Inspect and adjust the spray pattern of the irrigation heads to minimize the water sprayed directly onto the house to avoid excessive water near the foundation. Have irrigation pipes checked regularly and replace sprayer heads every two years. Also make it clear to guests not to park on the lawn as this might lead to broken or damaged pipes. Also caution your gardener to be careful when working near these areas.
Ensure that you have proper drainage: This is very important. If you notice that water tend to pile up in your garden, it is time to make a plan. This will not only ruin your lawn and garden, but can also lead to flooding in your home. This problem can often be solved by installing in-ground drainage systems or by improving the structure of your soil.
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