Indoor water damage can sometimes be difficult to spot, but it is even more difficult to deal with. Water damage can be costly to repair and can lead to serious destruction of your property. With Texas’ summer storms and fun outdoor activities happening this season, water damage can easily occur. Here are ten easy tips that can help keep your home safe and well-maintained.

1.  Disconnect Hoses

Many people use their hoses twice as frequently in the summer to water their plants and provide relief from Texas’ hot summer sun. Be sure to fully turn off or disconnect your hose when you are done using it. A leaky hose can lead to water leaking into your home from outside, causing damage to your floors and foundation.

2.  Clean Gutters and Downspouts

We say this a lot, but you should try to clean your gutters at least twice a year. It can help you avoid blockage and surprise flooding.  Standing water in your gutters can also damage your gutters and roof. Plus, any unmanaged overflow might create puddles that could damage your foundation. Don’t forget to clean downspouts. Water needs to be able to flow through them. Secure downspouts so that they point away from the home.

3.  Maintain Trees and Vegetation

Thriving shrubs can be a beautiful thing. This is less true when their roots wrap around and break your pipes. It’s important, for this reason, to minimize landscaping near utility pipes. You should even try to remove trees and shrubs that have become too big. Large trees and branches can become dangerous during wind storms; they could easily projectile into your home or roof.

4.  Know your Water Main

You need to know where your water main is and turn it off if you leave for an extended amount of time for a summer holiday. Faucet drips cannot wreak havoc on your home if there is no water going into the house.

5.  Check Appliances Regularly

Check and maintain your appliances regularly for leaks. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and check out our guide to avoid water damage from appliances.

6.  Investigate Leaks Right Away and Fix Promptly

If you ignore visible water damage or postpone making repairs, be prepared for your home to experience:

• Mold
• Mildew
• Dry rot
• Structural damage  

Remember that homeowner’s insurance provides coverage for damage that is sudden and accidental.  A standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover damage that results from lack of maintenance.

7.  Upgrade Washing Machine Hoses

Some of the most frequent causes of water loss for homeowners are old, brittle, or leaky washing machine hoses. You can avoid messy and expensive damage by replacing yours regularly. Routinely inspect the water tubes for signs of wear and tear. If your appliance’s water supply tube is plastic, Mr Restore suggests replacing it with a more durable stainless steel tube. Be sure that the water supply tube is resting behind your appliance with plenty of room. If the tube is squished or has too much tension, it can cause the tube to break.

8.  Install Water Detection Devices

A water detector is a small electronic device that sounds an alarm when it senses moisture. It can detect low moisture levels or slow leaks that normally go unnoticed, which is a huge benefit. To prevent extensive damage and mold growth, it should be installed near:

• Water heaters
• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Toilets

9.  Check Your Water Pressure

Pipes and hoses may fail if the water pressure to your home is set too high. Mr Restore suggests purchasing a water pressure gauge at your local hardware store. Then attach it to an outside faucet and turn the faucet to full force. The gauge will tell you what your home’s water pressure is. This will ensure that unexpected leaks do not occur, leaving you peace of mind that you are avoiding unexpected water damage. Most residential water systems are designed for water pressure between 40 – 70psi.  You need to install a pressure regulator if your home’s water pressure exceeds 100psi.

10.  Monitor Your Water Bill

Sometimes, the only way you know that water is leaking is by looking closely at your water bill.  If your usage (and bill) jumps significantly from one month to the next without explanation, it's possible you have a leak you do not know about.

Following these ten tips will help you keep your home safe from destructive water damage. However, not all water damage can be prevented. If your home suffers water damage, give Mr. Restore a call. We will help you return your home to normal quickly, without a hassle, so that you can get back to living.