Water damage, how to prevent it:

The exterior of your home is always being exposed to the vagaries of the weather, meaning that you have to keep a constant lookout for signs that the elements are breaking through your defences. In this article we’re going to run through a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your home’s exterior stays safe and dry, because if you find yourself in need of water damage restoration, the chances are you’ve left things too late.

Clean Your Gutters Regularly

The first rule for maintaining your exterior’s general well-being is to make sure that your gutters are kept clean. Depending on the climate and the amount of tree cover around your home, the gutters should be cleaned every three to six months. Left unattended, a clogged gutter is a disaster waiting to happen. The accumulated leaves, moss, and miscellaneous debris retain moisture, leading to a host of problems including mould and bacteria permeating first the stagnant water and then your walls, leading to more serious problems such as rot. 

If the wood around your gutters begins to rot, the additional weight of the debris could cause your gutter to collapse. This is not something you want to have to deal with unexpectedly; besides being a major inconvenience, it could also be dangerous to anyone in harm’s way when it happens! Hence the need for regular gutter cleaning.

Check Your Drainage Systems for Wear and Tear

Like your gutters, your exterior drainage should be checked regularly. When drainage is functioning correctly, you shouldn’t even notice it. When it stops functioning however, you’ll soon know all about it - even a small amount of rainfall can leave your garden sodden and muddy. 

Furthermore, having a functional drainage system ensures that you don’t end up with moisture retention in the soil around your house’s foundations, which could develop into rising damp in your basement (and the costly building work that accompanies it), or at the very least contamination of your domestic water sources. 

One possible solution is to use a downspout gutter system, which drains water at least 5 feet away from the edge of your home.

Have Your Pipes Checked Periodically

As a homeowner, you should know how to carry out a basic inspection of your pipes. For example, knowing the location of your mains shutoff could be crucial in an emergency. Also, pay attention to your water pressure - is it too weak, too strong? 

If you have a water tank or boiler on your property, be sure to check it for sediment or debris. Regardless of how well you know your own system, it’s imperative that you commit to periodic checks by a professional. There are any number of things that can go wrong with your waterworks, and before you end up with water damage in your home, it’s worth calling an expert.

If you’ve fallen victim to water damage and need help reclaiming your home, contact Masters Remediation. Serving the Burnaby and Richmond areas, Masters has the experience and the expertise to deal with your restoration issue. Commercial or private, we handle it all.

So why wait? Get in contact with us now at 1-604-838-8808 or via the contact form.