The 10 Commandments of Water Damage Prevention
Just ask any licensed Long Island water damage company with an established reputation how you can prevent water damage from engulfing your home , and you will likely be told to adhere to the 10 Commandments of water damage prevention. No, a bearded prophet didn’t scale the rugged cliffs of Mount Sinai to receive a set of stone tablets; rather the 10 Commandments of water damage prevention were concocted by the top water damage restoration teams in Long Island, and their decrees are the perfect set of rules to live by if you hope to live a life unscathed by water damage, mold and toilet back-flow disasters.
Should I get my Plumbing Inspected?
- You should get your plumbing inspected because it will reveal any forming cracks or faulty parts that can easily be replaced thus avoiding a flooded crawl space. In other words, THOU SHALT HAVE THY PLUMBING INSPECTED. If your home was built in the early 1900s and you haven’t had your plumbing inspected by a pro you will definitely want to get this done, as turn-of-the-century pipes were made from clay and cast iron—products that have a lifespan of 75 to 100 years.
How Harmful is Hard Water?
- Hard water is not harmful when consumed by humans, but it can be extremely harmful to your plumbing and cause water damage. THOU SHALT TEST THY WATER YEARLY. If you see white spots on your shower head, or when water drops dry on your counters and turn white, you have hard water. Over time mineral deposits like calcium can buildup in your pipes and cause enough pressure to spew water everywhere. You can pick up a water tester at your local hardware store, and if hard water is present adding a simple water softener once every six months should take care of the problem.
Can Trees be Planted Near my Plumbing Line?
- Trees should never be planted within two meters of a sewer or water plumbing line because their moisture-seeking roots can penetrate and crush your pipes. THOU SHALT PLANT TREES FAR FROM PIPES. When thirsty roots sense the condensation sweating off your pipes they will head right to them and the last thing you want it water soaking out into the ground threatening your home’s foundation.
How do Toilets get Clogged?
- Toilets get clogged when people flush harsh paper products and unsafe objects down the toilet. THOU SHALT NOT FLUSH HARMFUL ITEMS DOWN THE TOILET. Only plumber-graded toilet tissue should be flushed down the toilet, as it is designed to quickly disintegrate so not to cause a clog. When people flush things like disposable diapers, feminine sanitary products, moist facial wipes, paper towels or cotton balls, blockage can form and cause a pipe burst. If you experience a black water spill coming up into the home through your toilet, call a sewage backup company right away, as black water is ripe with disease much like the plagues of Egypt were.
How can I Prevent Pipe Freeze?
- You can prevent pipe freeze by ensuring that your pipes run through insulated areas and that there is no cold air circulating from outdoors. REMEMBER THY PIPES AND KEEP THEM WARM. When water freezes in pipes a block of ice can form and cause pressure to burst the pipe in another location of your plumbing’s system.
Why do I Have to Clean my Gutters?
- You must clean your gutters to allow free space for pooling water to flow away from your home. THOU SHALT CLEAN THY GUTTERS. If your gutters are full of dried leaves and debris, rain water can pool on your roof and run down into the foundation or crawl space. Be sure to use a safe ladder and, with a hand-tool, remove the sludge to allow a free-flowing channel for your rain water.
How Often Should I Inspect my Appliance Hoses?
- You should inspect your appliance hoses once a year to ensure there are no leaks or forming cracks. According to Bob Villa, water damage from ruptured hoses causes 150 million dollars in damage every year. THOU SHALT CHECK THY HOSES. If you see any cracks or feel moisture on your hoses, swing by your local home improvement store and pick up a new hose. They cost between $10 and $20 dollars and could be the best return on any investment you ever made.
Can I let Snow Melt on my Roof?
- Never let snow melt on your roof because it can cause water damage and possibly even cause your roof to collapse. THOU SHALT REMOVE SNOW FROM THY ROOF. One square foot of frozen snow can weigh 30 pounds, and this weight can cause severe stress to your home’s structure. Once the snow begins melting water runoff has a greater chance for finding little gaps in your shingles and roofing materials where it can pool and eventually cause a leak or even future mold damage. If you ever see black spots forming on your ceiling call a mold remediation company without delay, as mold is dangerous and can cause asthma, respiratory problems and lung disease.
What Should I do When a Storm is Coming?
- If a storm is coming you should take preventative actions to reduce your risk of water damage. THOU SHALT SANDBAG THY PROPERTY. If you live near a body of water or on sloping ground it would be wise to sandbag your property to prevent flood water from entering your basement or crawl space. These materials can be purchased at most hardware stores and will serve as a barrier against storm water.
How Important is it to Fix a Dripping Faucet?
10. Fixing your dripping faucet is of extreme importance, because it can prevent water damage and keep you from racking up a big water bill. THOU SHALT FIX THY DRIPPING FAUCET. When your faucet drips it is generally due to a minor problem like a worn out washer—something that can be purchased at any hardware store and easily replaced. When some faucets drip water back-splash can hit the wall or go on the floor causing a slow yet steady water damage issue.
So Let it Be Written, So Let it Be Done
By obeying these 10 Commandments brought forth by thy water damage professionals, you can better protect your home from a number of chaotic events. Frogs may not rain into your kitchen and a plague of locust may not consume your living room, but a water damage nightmare can cause a great deal of destruction. Take heed and follow these commandments and your home will likely be safe for another 40 years and 40 nights!
