Tips to Prevent Floods and Water Damage

Sarah stood ankle deep in cold water. A child’s toys floated by. Across the family room, water cascaded over the window sill and spilled onto her new carpet. The piano, her new sofa and the big screen TV were all submerged. Why did this happen and what could she have done to prevent it?

There is no guarantee that you will never have a flood or water damage in your home, but there are some tips to prevent them. I have listened to frustrated customers passionately tell me that they will never leave their home again without turning off the main water line. This would be effective if all floods only occurred while the home was empty. You would also need to have the City turn off the water lines and sewer drain lines to the neighborhood. Oh, and how do you convince God to never let it rain while you are gone?

In truth, most water losses occur while we are in our house using the water. It is characteristic that a valve or fitting ready to fail will do so as the water is turned off.

The water lines in your home generally have 40-60 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure. This pressure is the force that pushes the water out of the faucet when you use it. If the water is turned on, the pressure in the pipe drops to nearly zero. As the water is turned off, the pressure instantly jumps back up to 40-60 psi. This sudden increase in pressure from 0 to 60 pounds is enough change to break the weak link in your water system that has been waiting for just the right opportunity.

Because there is no way to totally prevent water damage, we need to concentrate on the preventative measures we can take to limit our exposure and risk. The best method is inspecting your house regularly to find the potential break-before it does break. It doesn't mean you need to take a flashlight and a clipboard and crawl around the house every Saturday morning, because we all know that will not happen.

The best form of inspection is to simply be aware.

• When you turn off a faucet, does it drip?
• Are there white or green deposits on valves, pipes or other water connections?
• Is the floor of the sink cabinet damp or show signs of water damage?
• Is the grout or caulk in the tub or shower chipped, missing or have black discoloration?
• Is there a rusty stream of water or rusty stains coming from under your water heater?
• Are there rust spots on the carpet when you move a piece of furniture that has metal legs or gliders?
• Are there blisters or bubbles in the paint or drywall tape on the walls, especially on outside walls?
• Do you notice a musty odor in any room of the house, especially in the basement?

A "yes" to any of these questions indicates you have or will have a water problem. The size and cost of the problem is directly related to how quickly you remedy the situation. Procrastination will always increase the costs and in some cases, void your insurance coverage. Learn to be pro-active in maintaining your home by being observant and aware. As you are able to prevent water damage, you will find yourself saving money, time and resources.