Five Mistakes You Should Avoid That Could Cause Water Damage in Your Home

Five Mistakes You Should Avoid That Could Cause Water Damage in Your Home

Home water damage doesn’t only cause aesthetic issues. It also can create health threats and detract from the structural stability of a home over time. Perhaps one of the most unpleasant consequences of water damage is that it can cause odors to build up in a home due to mold and mildew growth.

All of the negative consequences of water damage can lead to a significant decrease in a home’s resale value, and this hits the homeowner in the pocketbook. It’s important that you do everything you can as a homeowner to prevent water damage from developing.

The following are five mistakes you should avoid that could cause water damage in your home.

Neglecting to Clean Out Your Gutters

Gutters will inevitably become clogged over time if they are not cleaned out. Vegetation and other debris will end up in gutters and block the flow of water through them when precipitation falls.

Clogged gutters can cause water damage because they allow pooled water to build up at the edges of the roof. Eventually, this water can seep through the home’s exterior and soak into ceilings and walls.

Homeowners with gutters need to work regular gutter cleaning into their home maintenance schedules to prevent roof leaks that can lead to water damage.

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners Excessively

When your drains become clogged, it’s generally best to remove the clog with a drain snake rather than chemical drain cleaners. While chemical drain cleaners can be effective at removing clogs, they are hard on drains and pipes.

Excessive use of drain cleaners can eventually eat away at a home’s pipes. Over time, this can lead to leaks that will soak into home fixtures and lead to water damage.

This type of leak can be especially dangerous both because it can be hard to detect and because extensive damage can occur anywhere in the home — including in unexpected areas such as basements and crawl spaces — before the homeowner is even aware that there is a problem.

Planting Plants With Thick Roots Around Sensitive Fixtures

Plant and tree roots will grow and expand over time. Growing roots can be surprisingly forceful, and they can burrow into and break pipes.

If you plant trees or bushes with thick, invasive roots near certain fixtures, you shouldn’t be surprised to see leaks developing over time. Possible fixtures that could be damaged by growing roots include pipes, septic tanks, sprinkler systems and drainage fields.

Whenever you manage your landscaping, make sure you plan things out so that plants and trees are kept well away from any sensitive plumbing fixtures.

Ignoring Unexpected Changes in Your Water Bill

Unfortunately, there are many types of leak that can occur in a home that are not easily detected until they have already created severe problems.

One secret to becoming aware of leaks before they cause significant damage is to pay careful attention to your water bill. If a leak has developed in your home, your home is going to begin consuming greater amounts of water.

If you notice a jump in your home’s water consumption that you can’t explain, it’s very likely that a leak has developed somewhere in your home, and you need to begin investigating to find out where the leak is.

Pouring Grease in Drains Rather Than Throwing It Away

It can sometimes be frustrating to try to dispose of leftover grease from cooking or cleaning tasks. However, you should always avoid disposing of grease down your drains.

When put down drains, grease can easily congeal and stick to pipes. This may lead to clogs and eventual damage. In turn, this type of damage can create an ideal environment for leaks to develop.

The best way to dispose of grease is to put it in a disposable can and place this can in the fridge until the grease has hardened. Then, you can simply throw the whole can of grease into the garbage.

Even with all of these precautions, water damage can still occur. If you need help dealing with the effects of water damage in your home, call DRC Cleaning Solutions for professional help in restoring your home.