Preempting Water Threats at Home | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County
9/7/2021 (Permalink)
Look, we don’t want to scare you, but something’s going on in your water-based appliances. Now you didn’t hear it from us (guess you did, actually), but word on the street is that your water is planning an escape.
Every pipe and hose is full of water under pressure, intent on getting out. And it only takes the smallest hole for gallons of it to come spewing out onto your floor.
That’s why it’s helpful to acquaint yourself with common leak areas—so you might be able to stop this nefarious plan before it comes to fruition. Let’s look at a few suspects:
Toilets. Your toilet may leak primarily as it wears down rubber pieces over time—the flapper (which will leak water into the bowl), the valve seal and the supply hose washer (which will leak into the floor).`
Appliances. Washing machines are notorious for blowing out hoses after a few years, and any appliance that makes use of water is prone to develop leaks in connections or from faulty hoses. And water heaters, if used past their safe lifespan, can actually explode.
Clogged gutters. This might not be your favorite thing to check, but unclogging your gutters a couple of times a year is probably the most sure-fire thing you can do on this list to prevent water damage.
Roof damage. Roofs and shingles really take a beating, and they’re likely to crack or break over time. Give your roof a visual inspection from the ground regularly, especially after storms that may cause acute damage.
Pipes. We always suspect older pipes, which can become rusted and sketchy, but newer pipes can fail too because of poor insulation or installation. And your main outdoor water line can be invaded by tree roots.
Blocked garbage disposals and sinks. Grease and oil can make it hard for your disposal to operate properly, and certain foods can dam up in your pipes as they are ground up. Avoid anything that clumps or soaks up a lot of water—coffee grounds or rice, for example.
Water is always on the lookout for new places to spread, but a little work on the front end of things may be able to prevent some leaks around your home in the end.
If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County today so we can get started. It's best to contact us directly at 336-946-1131