Three Water Damage Cleanup Steps For Winston-Salem Residents

Water disasters are unpredictable and can happen at any time. Even though it is not possible to know exactly if or when water damage may occur, there are steps that you can take to prevent it from happening. Your home in the Winston-Salem area can be protected from some water disasters if you take a few steps. 

3 Steps To Prevent Water Damage To Your Winston-Salem Home

1. Routine maintenance of household appliances can help reduce the risk of water damage in your home. Dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines all have water hoses that can become loose at connectors, erode, and weaken over time. If these hoses are not checked regularly, they can cause serious water leaks. Water hoses on appliances should be replaced every few years to reduce the risk of malfunction. If these appliances malfunction, they can also flood homes with excess water. By following the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper maintenance and performance, you can help extend the life of your appliances, which can prevent risks of water leaks and water damage.

2. Regular inspection of areas of the home that are not visited often, like basements, crawl spaces, attics, and even under cupboards and sinks, can help you find water damage at its first sign. These areas are at a higher risk for water damage because they contain a home’s plumbing pipes and fixtures, and they are not frequently visited so if there is a leak or malfunction, water damage can go unnoticed for quite some time. Burst or leaky pipes can cause water to pool in these areas of the home and can remain unnoticed until the damage becomes severe. You should inspect these areas of your home regularly to be sure that there are no leaks or water damage. Check all pipes in these areas to be sure that their integrity is not compromised, and be sure to repair or replace any old parts.

3. Prevent frozen pipes this winter. Frozen pipes are a leading cause of water damage in homes during the winter. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands and puts extra pressure on the pipe. This pressure can cause leaks or bursts in the pipe, and as the water thaws, it will leak out of the pipe and into the surrounding area. One way to keep your pipes from freezing when temperatures drop is to keep a steady drip of water running through the pipe. As long as the water is moving it will not freeze. Keeping sink cabinet doors open and exposing pipes to heat will also help prevent pipes from freezing. You can also buy insulation for water pipes from convenience stores. This insulation can stay on your pipes year-round and can help trap heat and keep it concentrated in the pipe so the standing water inside will not freeze. 

These precautionary steps require some time and effort, and maybe even a little cash, but the time it takes to maintain pipes and appliances inside your home is nothing compared to the time it takes for water damage restoration.

While you may have to invest in new parts for compromised pipes or appliances, that cost is minimal when compared to the cost of water damage repair. In the long run, it saves money to be proactive, and maintenance is cheaper than restoration.  If you do find yourself dealing with water damage in Winston-Salem, call Restoration 1 right away.