Water damage can be a very costly problem. Here are some ideas on how you can mitigate or al least get early notification of a potential problem.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to back up into your house. They can create ice dams or cause erosion around your foundation. You should clean your gutters in the spring and in the fall after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Be careful on your roof and ladder or take the easy answer and just pay a handyman to do the job.
Use Sensors for Early Notification of a Problem
You can use water sensors to alert you of a leak. These devices should be placed at common leads culprits like washing machines, water heaters and dishwashers. They make really simple devices or you can get water alert sensors that connect to wifi and can send you messages if there is a problem.
Test Your Sump Pump
Every couple of months, I put water in my sump with a garden hose and I make sure the sump pump turns on and off and drains properly. You may also want to consider a battery back up system for your sump pump.
Turn Off Your Water for Extended Vacations
I had a neighbor leave for Florida in the winter. While he was gone, one of his small 1/4" water lines to a sink on his 2nd floor failed. Water ran for weeks and flooded his whole house, causing ceilings to drop all the way down to his basement.
If they had turned off the water, this wouldn’t have been a problem.
Turn off your water!
Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses
Overtime your washing machine hoses can become brittle and crack. You should think about replacing these every few years.
I just returned from a month long trip and got home to a leaking water heater. Water can cause lots of damage to your house.
