Originally published on April 4, 2020. This article has been updated with more relevant content.
The biggest threat to your home may surprise you. Whether you're fighting against severe storms, leaky pipes, or even low water pressure, excess water in any area puts the integrity of your home and safety at risk. Damage due to water can disrupt your day-to-day life and bring a myriad of problems along with it.
On average, homeowners can spend between $2,000 and $5,000 on repairs due to water damage. Homeowners can reduce these potential costs by prioritizing preventative care rather than damage control.
Here are some new and improved tips to help you protect your home from its biggest threat:
Find the Source
An abundance of water can stem from many different sources. The most common sources of water in your home are:
Leaky or old pipes/plumbing
Floods from severe storms
Clogged drainage holes or gutters
Additionally, there are plenty of "out of sight, out of mind" sources that aren't obvious links to water damage in your home. For example, machinery meant to regulate your home can cause issues that lead to water damage. Check your HVAC, AC, dishwashers, and everything in between to ensure everything is working properly to eliminate the chance of excess water.
No matter where the water comes from, you have a problem on your hands that isn't easy to fix without the right team.
Water is a sign and source of life for pests
Roaches, mosquitoes, and the like see water as a source of life. Moisture in or around your home such as moist wood or soil creates the perfect habitat for pests. If there's a puddle of water in your basement, chances are unwanted visitors will soon make your home theirs.
Regardless of how clean your home is, pests will take advantage of any damp environment. Reduce damp spaces with a dehumidifier, be sure to spot check your home and it's surrounding areas after a rainstorm, and tip over any lawn/outdoor furniture that tends to hold water.
Eliminating these sources of water will discourage any breeding habitats. It's important to take action when you notice a water problem rather than wait for the byproduct to start crawling around your home.
Water damage seeps into your wallet
Water damage escalates to mold and microbial growth issues in just a few days, which can compromise the health of everyone in your home, including your pets. Given these facts, you must begin to clean up a water damage mess as soon as you can to prevent further damage.
Water damage also has long-term effects on your wallet. If left alone long enough, your home may require large-scale structural repairs that require you and your family to relocate. It can also become a factor if you ever decide to sell your home in the future. The water may have caused considerable structural faults and safety hazards in the home, such as unsound walls and mold, and the problems may continue even after the existing damage has been mitigated, especially if the source of the damage has not been properly identified and correctly fixed.
Act fast & act first
The threat of water can also be covert. Something as small as low water pressure can indicate a much bigger problem. Low water pressure can be a symptom of clogged or corroded pipes, faulty water valves, or worse. All that could and should be resolved before you move in, but many home inspection services overlook issues like these. If you're experiencing low water pressure, call a professional like Cingo that will provide a comprehensive inspection to catch and fix the root of the issue, not just eliminate the byproduct.
Water damage is a serious threat to your home. The impacts grow exponentially when not addressed in minutes, days, weeks, and months. When it comes to water damage, it's a problem that only gets worse with age. Without a quick response, water will cause considerable damage to your home as time passes. The best solution to water damage is a proactive one.
Peace of mind is just around the corner. Complete our Pest Quiz to find the best pest control option for you and your home.
About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.