Follow These Tips to Avoid Expensive Home Repairs

When you deal with water damage, resolving home insurance claims is only the first step in a long ordeal. Even once the money comes through, you’re sometimes forced to wait months for any structural issues to be fixed before moving back in. How can you prevent water damage and save yourself the trouble?

You want to focus on some common problem areas when it comes to water damage. Basement flooding, burst pipes, and properties in flood-prone areas are usually the main cause for damage. Make sure you’re protected by following the tips and tools highlighted in this blog.

SEE MORE: How Flood Sensors Prevent Flooding

Check for Leaks

Have a proactive approach to any leaks or flooding with a water leak detector. Employ these detectors in general problem areas particularly basements and near major pipes. If you live in a flood prone area, make sure to place them in your lowest-lying zones.

Although these are designed to detect future leaks, they also help you isolate problem areas when you first install them. Not only do the detectors set off an alarm when they sense moisture, but they also send a direct notification to your phone so that you can resolve the problem immediately.

Check the Temperature

Burst pipes are a common cause of flooding in the Northeast. As the temperatures fall, plumbing pipes can freeze and burst, quickly flooding your home.

We recommend adding temperature control that lets you know when the temperature in a certain room hits a preset threshold. That way, you can react before any damage takes place. Just in case, we add flood detectors near major pumps and in your home’s coldest areas to know immediately if a pipe burst.

Check Your Pump

To avoid any buildup of water in your basement that could seriously affect your home’s foundation, make sure to check your sump pump regularly. These types of leaks are particularly dangerous since they may go unnoticed for long periods of time. Your water sensors will help you detect any leaks or buildup, but you should, regardless, do a manual check each year.

Respond Quickly

Why are these water leak detectors so important? Responding quickly will help you avoid extensive damage that can result in mold, mildew, and rot. Especially with a burst pipe, damage can be massive within just minutes.

More importantly, some home insurance policies will only cover sudden and accidental damage. If a small leak, like one in the basement near your sump pump, goes unnoticed for an extended period, the resulting damage might not fall under your insurance policy.

Turn Off Your Water Main

You should know exactly where your water main is, so you can shut it off quickly in case of a burst pipe or a significant leak. We also recommend turning it off when you’ll be out of the house for a while.

Want to learn more about our flood prevention tools and other environmental protection solutions? Reach out to one of our experts by calling 516-433-6960 or by filling out our online contact form.