Water Damage Prevention Tips for your Boise home

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

The old adage ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure certainly applies to water damage prevention at residential properties. The cost of water damage and the disruption it causes can be significant. In most cases, the result of the water damage is covered by insurance, but in some instances, maintenance-related water damage may not be covered.

Here are a few tips to be proactive in preventing water damages issues:

1. Inspect appliance hoses and faucets at least annually. This would include checking water supply lines to the dishwasher, refrigerator ice maker, washing machine, water heater and bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures. Replace supply line hoses every 5-7 years.
2. Inspect showers and tubs regularly to ensure the caulking and seals are watertight and reseal if necessary.
3. Turn off the water to the washing machine and dishwasher when not at home. During extended absences from home, shut off the main water supply to the home.
4. Know where the main water supply shutoff valve is located so if a water leak happens, the resulting damage can be minimized by quickly shutting off the main water supply.
5. Consider installing water sensors or a water leak monitoring and shutoff system at your home.
6. Caulk and seal windows and doors to prevent water from entering the home.
7. Inspect your roof, gutters, and downspouts to identify any issues that would route water into your home.
8. Check sprinklers and irrigation systems to ensure they are not spraying water against the foundation walls and puddling near the home. Remove hoses during the winter and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
9. Store off-season and personal belongings in waterproof bins or totes especially when near plumbing.
10. Store personal belongings off of the floor in basements.

In addition to these preventative measures, review your insurance policy with your insurance consultant to determine if you have the right coverage against water damage. However, if a water damage issue occurs, it is highly recommended you use the services of a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Boise our experience and methodology can save you money and minimize the areas of your home that are affected and in need or repair.