If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (713) 472-4162

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Avoid a Water Damage

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Don't come home to this.

Home water damage is the second most-commonly filed homeowners’ insurance claim, most of them non-weather related. Plumbing mishaps top the charts for water damage in the home.

Those most common mishaps are:
 

  • Busted pipes
  • Toilet overflows
  • Water heater leaks 
  • Dishwasher leaks
  • Ice maker malfunctions
  • Sink overflows
  • Busted washing machine hoses
  • Shower and tub leaks and overflows

In most cases, time is of the essence when dealing with water damage. Whether it’s a small leak or a flooded room, the damage can be devastating. Follow these steps to help eliminate the chances of water damage while you’re gone:

  1. Inspect your home for leaks before you leave. Check out the pipes under all sinks as well as hoses to your washing machine and ice maker. Also, examine your water heater, does it have any cracks or rust? If so, take the steps to repair or replace it to avoid coming home to a water-logged home. 
  2. If traveling for any length of time, turn off the main water supply to your home and turn on your faucets to drain your pipes. Also, be sure to flush your toilets after you shut off your water. This will prevent busted pipes due to freezing, and stop the flow of water into your home. Leave the cabinet doors under sinks open while you are gone to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
  3. Insulate exposed pipes to keep them from freezing in the winter. You can find foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves that fit right over the pipes at any local hardware store. Protect outdoor faucets by removing any hoses and covering them with foam bib protectors.
  4. Install floor pans under your major appliances. Although they can’t fully protect you from a major leak, they can prevent damage due to small, undetected leaks.
  5. If you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, or if you travel often, consider purchasing a water flow monitoring system. A water flow monitoring system is attached to your water main and protects your entire house. The system works by measuring water flow into your house. If it detects continuous water flow beyond the normal stopping and starting of your everyday appliances, it stops the flow of water into your house automatically. 

We here at SERVPRO of South Pasadena know that not every water damage can be prevented, so we’re here to help! If you have water damage in your home, please call us immediately at (713) 472-4162 to minimize the damage to your home and belongings. We will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Other News

View Recent Posts