How to Safeguard Your Home from Water Damage: Essential Tips for Homeowners

My Private Adjuster

Apr 11, 20242 min read

How to Safeguard Your Home from Water Damage: Water damage is a catastrophic occurrence that can affect any household. It ranks among the most common and costly calamities homeowners encounter, leading to billions of dollars in damages annually. This can compromise your most valuable asset, making it crucial to implement effective strategies to shield your property from water damage. Securing the proper insurance and adhering to sensible guidance can assist in protecting your home and reducing the effects of water damage.

Inspect appliance hoses and faucets.
Inspect showers and tubs.
When away on vacation, shut off the water supply to the washing machine and never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running.
Know the location of the main water shut-off valve in your home.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system.
Check plumbing and heating pipes.

Caulk and seal windows to guard against water seepage.
Inspect your roof for missing, damaged and aging shingles and make necessary repairs.
Check your downspouts.
Check sprinklers and irrigation systems to be sure they are not creating water damage to the walls and foundations of the house. Turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
Install gutter guards to prevent gutter clogs and keep water flowing away from the house instead of accumulating on the roof.

Store off-season and other bulk belongings in waterproof bins, especially in areas where there are plumbing pipes or that are prone to dampness, such as basements and attics.
Never store valuables or memorabilia where there is risk of destruction from water.
Keep belongings stored on shelving off the floor in basements.
Keep an up-to-date home inventory. Having a comprehensive list of your possessions will save time, trouble and stress in case of loss from water damage.