The Scary Ways In Which Water Can Damage Your Home – And How To Be More Prepared

The Scary Ways In Which Water Can Damage Your Home – And How To Be More Prepared

As many people know, the elements of our world need to be respected. Even though we live in a time full of technological advancements, the one thing we will probably never be able to control is the weather. The past few years have seen a whole hoard of freak weather spells hit our planet – some with disastrous effects. This can be a little disconcerting, especially if you live somewhere that is likely to be hit.

One of the scariest elements that many of us have to deal with is water. Water can be an extremely powerful force that humans, unfortunately, are generally not equipped to deal with. It can also cause great damage in our homes, sometimes rendering them uninhabitable after a particularly bad incident. Therefore, it can be a good idea to learn how to waterproof your home as best as you can to minimize the effects of water damage.

800px-rain-on-thassosImage source

A leaky roof

One of the more common types of water damage that many homeowners experience is the leaky roof. High winds and heavy rain can cause shingles on our roofs to dislodge, resulting in a hole that continuing rain can get through. This can lead to a full-scale leak, which can be incredibly dangerous. Not only can it cause damage to your attic or your interior ceiling, it can also be a severe fire hazard if the leak passes nearby any electrical sources. For this reason, it is always best to make sure that your roof is secure if you are expecting any adverse weather. Contact local Roofing Companies who will be able to look over your roof and suggest any measures that may need to be taken.

Burst pipes

Burst pipes are another fairly common cause of water damage in the home. They occur mostly during the winter months, where your home may experience freezing temperatures. In order to prevent burst pipes, your home should be kept at a minimum heat of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you are out of the property. Otherwise, the water in the pipes may freeze, causing a buildup of pressure and ultimately causing them to burst and potentially flood your home. You may also wish to take extra measures such as wrapping your pipes with an insulating material to make sure they stay reasonably warm.

Biscoe, AR-Philip Lightsey, left, and his son Josh, check the water levels around the sandbags which encompass his house.  The sandbags are helping to form a protective barrier so that the water level does not rise and get inside of the house. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA
Biscoe, AR-Philip Lightsey, left, and his son Josh, check the water levels around the sandbags which encompass his house. The sandbags are helping to form a protective barrier so that the water level does not rise and get inside of the house.
Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

Image source

External flooding

If your town or city experiences an unnatural amount of rainfall, your home may be at risk of external flooding. Sometimes, community drainage systems are not well equipped enough to deal with very heavy rainfall, and this can lead to flooding in the local area. If your home is particularly low-lying, you may want to check that your own drainage systems are working properly. It is also worth checking that nothing is blocking your guttering. It is a good idea to get hold of some sandbags to keep as much water out of your property as you can, and to move any electric or valuable items to the top floor of your home. Flooding can be devastating, but by taking on board some of this advice you can hopefully escape relatively unscathed.

If your home has suffered extreme damage from flooding both internally and externally, it can be helpful to hire Water Damage Restoration experts who can help you to rebuild your property in a way that removes any unsafe water damage and carry out repairs that address the damage that has been caused and rectifies in a safe manner. This can help you to avoid having to hire different contractors to carry out the work required and give you peace of mind that not only has all water damage been identified but dried out thoroughly before any other starts.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.