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Health & Fitness

Inspect your home for signs of water damage to prevent costly repairs

There is not a lot of elbow grease involved in this month's maintenance checklist, but it's important one nonetheless. This time we are focusing on catching potential water damage before it turns into a costly nightmare.

The first signs of water problems are almost always overlooked: a drip here, a drop there – nothing that can't be mopped up with a towel. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems like a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. Leaks turn into flooding which can quickly lead to problems with mold. And don't think water damage only happens IN your house. Irrigation and septic systems can cause problems on the outside of your home too.

Take a few minutes and tour your house.  Start with the obvious spots...bathrooms and  kitchens.  Look around the supply and drain lines.  Look carefully for water spots in cabinets where water may have leaked.  Then go to the area of your house directly below the water source and look for water stains or mold growth on the ceiling.  Oftentimes, water stains leave a brown ring around the contaminated area.  You may also see black dots... a sign of mold and bacteria growth.  Next,  check around appliances that draw water, including the dish washer, washer machine, and  behind the refrigerator if you use a water filter system or automatic ice cube maker.

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Now move on to the less obvious area.  There may not be a water source in the guest bedroom, but that doesn't mean water can't find its way into this room.  Roof leaks can appear in any room and cause considerable water damage to ceilings and walls.  Water damage can also appear around foundations and other places, like the basement or garage, where you might not always remember to inspect.  Water leaves a white residue on foundation walls. 

Freezing and thawing from this past winter may have caused heaving in the ground resulting in cracked pipes and hoses, so turn on the water pressure and see how your irrigation system responds. Look for leaks, breaks, pooling water or clogged sprinkler heads. Repair, replace or call in the pros to get your irrigation system ready to run.

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Enjoy the summer!

kim

 

Kimberly Spanier, Owner
Everything Under the Roof, LLC





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