How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Your home is built to keep you and your family out of the elements. Water is one of the most damaging elements to your home. According to industry experts, about 14,000 people in the United States have a water damage emergency every day. As you can see, water damage is a very real fear for homeowners. Luckily, there are several things you can do to protect your home from water damage. Prevention is key for homeowners. Here’s how to protect your home from water damage. 

Water Drainage Systems

Water drainage systems can go a long way in protecting your home from water damage. Two places that water often affects the home are on the roof from rain and at the foundation from water sitting on your land.

Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts give rain somewhere to go instead of pooling on the roof or running off right into your foundation. By directing this water using gutters and downspouts, you can control its effects on your home. Preferably to protect your home the best, you should have gutters all the way around your roofline with multiple downspouts that lead a few feet away from the foundation. Additionally, so that the re-directed water doesn’t create erosion, river rock at the base can be helpful. 

Land Drainage

When water sits next to the foundation, it can cause flooding in basements and erosion to the foundation itself. Additionally, if doors are not elevated, water can seep in through them as well. Land drainage systems are the way to prevent this. Land drainage systems divert the water to a safer place where it is not bothering your home. Some examples of land drainage include french drains, surface drains utilizing ditches, and slope drainage. 

Septic Tanks

Septic tank leakage and backups can cause all kinds of damage. If you have a septic tank, be sure to get it serviced regularly and only use products that are septic safe. 

Shut Off Valves

Just knowing where your shutoff valves are and ensuring that they work regularly can go a long way for protecting against water damage because if something happens, the sooner you can shut it off, the less damage there will be.

A Sealed Roof

The roof of your home takes the brunt of the water from the environment which means you should always ensure your roof is well sealed. Look for missing and damaged shingles as well as around vulnerable areas like skylights. If you have old slate roofing, inspection is especially important because water can get in through damages in the valleys. Get your roof inspected regularly to protect your home from water damage.

Durable Home Siding 

Vinyl and wood siding come off often and can let water get behind them. Steel house siding is much more secure and keeps the water out. Consider switching to steel house siding as an added layer of protection against water. 

Mind the Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are prime areas for water leaks. Make sure you inspect the seals regularly and reseal them if needed to protect your home from water damage. This will also make your home more energy efficient by keeping heat and air in rather than it escaping. 

Inspect the Plumbing

Your plumbing carries water and wastewater behind your walls throughout the house. When plumbing fails, sometimes it can cause a lot of water damage before it is even noticed. Look at appliance hoses, faucets, showers and tubs, and any visible pipes. You can also install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing which can prevent pressure from freezing pipes from building up and bursting your pipes. 

Don’t Forget the Basement

If you have a basement, you should be especially diligent in protecting against water. Basements are notorious for water leaks because as the home shifts, it can cause cracks in the basement. To ensure that your basement is moisture resistant, always seal every surface of a basement and check it regularly for new vulnerable areas. Painting with a water sealant is the best way to keep water out in addition to proper water drainage on your property as we discussed above. As an added protection, you can install a backwater valve. Sewer backups are less common when talking about water damage, but often target the basement and are messy if it happens. A backwater valve allows sewage to get out but not come back in and create damage. 

Get Professional Help

If your preventative protections fail, water damage can be repaired and AdvantaClean is there to help. They offer water damage and removal services that can help you restore your home and prevent future damage. Contact them today if you are in need of water damage repair services or need help protecting your home from water damage.

Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.