Sometimes, there is no stopping water from wreaking havoc on a home. For instance, if a torrential downpour starts and the storm drains outside can’t keep up, water can find its way inside structures. Then, carpet and padding, wood flooring, drywall, and other materials can get ruined. Plus, the liquid can harm electronics, furniture, appliances, and more.

Although it may not be possible to stop all issues that cause water damage, you owe it to yourself to try. Research shows that the average price of a home is over $400k in the United States these days. That’s a lot of money for a person to invest just to let water damage cause the home to crumble around them.

Use the following tips to help prevent residential water damage…

Know Where Water Shut-Off Valves Are Located

Most modern homes have water shut-off valves at almost every fixture. Therefore, if a problem occurs at a toilet, sink, etc., homeowners can turn the handles to the off position to isolate it and stop the water. But what if there isn’t a shut-off valve at a fixture or the issue is elsewhere and not at a fixture? For example, a pipe in the attic could spring a leak.

Homeowners should always make it a point to know where individual shut-off valves and whole-home shut-off valves are located. Then, when something goes wrong, they can spring into action to stop minor events from becoming major disasters. It is also a good idea to make sure you have the appropriate tool nearby if one is required. For instance, if a water meter key is needed, keep the unit in an easy-to-access location such as a garage, porch, or closet.

Check Under Cabinets

Water supply lines, shut-off valves, and drains are often housed in cabinets under kitchen sinks, laundry room sinks, and lavatory sinks. The only problem with that is this tends to be where they remain out of sight and out of mind. Therefore, if a drip/leak develops, it may go on for quite some time without getting noticed, and water damage can enter the picture.

So, add checking under sink cabinets to your home maintenance routine. If something presents itself during an inspection, you’ll be able to address it promptly. Don’t fret if you don’t have the time to visually examine these places. Instead, get an under cabinet water alarm to notify you when something goes wrong.

Replace Old Washing Machine Hoses

If you can’t remember the last time the hoses behind your washing machine were changed, it was probably too long ago. This is because sources suggest these pieces should be replaced every three to five years. As washing machine hoses age, they become brittle and break. However, because of where they’re located, the issues often go unnoticed and produce significant water damage.

At some point, your home could sustain water damage. If that happens, don’t worry because all is not lost. Emergency Restoration Specialists, Inc. is here to help with such matters. Just schedule a service as necessary to get your house back in order.