Beware of water damage in warm weather! Although it is more common for water damage to occur in winter and the early spring, it can also occur during the hot summer months when the weather is warm.
You are likely using more water than you normally do, whether you take multiple showers to cool off after exercising outdoors or hydrate your garden. This increases your risk of experiencing water damage from your plumbing. It’s an unfortunately common problem. In addition, homeowners seldom consider the possibility of pipe damage and plumbing issues during the hot summer months.
Therefore, it is essential to protect your house from flooding and water damage over the summer to avoid serious property damage.
Here is a curated list of tips to prevent Water damage in summer throughout the season.
Causes of Water Damage
- Breaks in a pipe or leaking faucets:
Summer is stressful for your plumbing. Using the system more leads to more wear and tear. Having your pipes constantly in use increases your chances of having a bursted pipe. Water damage can still occur whether the leak is apparent or hidden in a crawlspace or below your foundation.
- Clogged Gutters:
At first glance, your home’s structural stability might not seem threatened by clogged gutters. In reality, a clogged gutter can cause water damage to parts of your home both inside (for example, the roof and attic) and outside (for example, the fascia). Overflowing gutters and stagnating rainwater can cause water damage to your home, which is very expensive to fix.
- Severe Weather:
Storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters aren’t common every day, but water damage to your property will always be a possibility when they do, especially in summers.
Heavy downpours and strong winds might damage your roof, causing rainwater to pour directly into your home or business. During severe weather, flash flooding can sometimes occur, especially when your property is in a floodplain and requires Flood damage cleanup.
- Plumbing Issues:
Issues related to the plumbing system are what causes water to leak from it and cause damage to the home’s plumbing system. For example, leaks in shut-off valves, fixtures (such as taps, sinks, and bathtubs), and pipe connections can cause steady water drips, causing the damaged area to flood.
Tips to Protect from Water Damage
Keep Downspouts and Gutters Clean
In order to avoid flooding, make sure your downspouts discharge properly (at a distance of at least 10 feet from your house). Rain gutters and clogged downspouts can cause pooled water against the house, leading to leaks and severe water damage. It can be beneficial to spend just a little bit of time clearing the debris from these areas now in order to avoid major problems later.
Protect your roof from water damage
Your roof will suffer the brunt of the storm’s wrath during a summer storm. A Dallas-Fort Worth summer storm can bring wind, rain, and lightning. Thus, your roof should be capable of coping with such weather conditions. If you notice missing shingles or flashing that has become dislodged, have your roofing system inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
As a homeowner, you should also take the necessary steps to strengthen your home and have your roof professionally inspected by Water restoration services. If you want water to flow freely through your gutters and not accumulate on your roof and damage your house’s foundation, make sure the gutters are attached securely.
Give your pipes a little shade
When the summer sun beats down, the exposed pipes can be weakened or damaged by UV rays. When you notice signs of damage, you should have your exterior pipes replaced. Paint them with light-colored acrylic paint, or wrap them in outdoor water pipe insulation to protect them from future damage that might result in pipes bursting and causing water damage.
Prevent water damage by testing your sump pump
One of the most crucial things to prepare your house for storms is to try the sump pump in your basement. This prevents excess water from entering your home and causing costly damage. Verify that your sump pump does not have mud trapped, preventing it from working properly.
Fix any water leaks
Water leaks can occur in almost any part of your home, and even the smallest leaks can lead to major problems if left unattended. Roof leaks, foundation leaks, window leaks, and leaks in pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances can cause serious damage.
This is because the water can spread and be absorbed into nearby materials. You must inspect these common areas for leaks regularly and take action when you discover one. Call a professional to assist you with Water removal or if you are unable to repair the leak yourself.
Inspect the foundation
A prolonged heat spell without rain can cause your foundation to shift very slightly if the ground beneath your home dries out.
Eventually, over time, these tiny shifts can accumulate, causing your water lines to become out of alignment and crack, resulting in water-related damage requiring water damage restoration. If you notice any signs of settling or strain in the area around your home’s exterior or in the crawlspace or basement, you should take action immediately.
Keep an eye on your water bill
Homeowners usually don’t discover leaks until the damage becomes apparent if they occur in hidden areas of their homes. If you notice an increase in your water bills, you might have a hidden leak. You could have a leak hidden somewhere in your house if your water bill is higher than normal.
Call Kings Restoration Professionals
Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy the summer rather than dealing with water damage cleanup and restoration. Do not be deceived by the simplicity of some of these tasks and call in a water damage restoration service.
They can still prove beneficial and effective in protecting your property from water damage. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Kings Restoration if your home is ever flooded. We’ll be right out to restore the damages and help you get back to enjoying your summer! Call our experts to schedule an appointment today!
