Two Easy Ways to Avoid Water Damage

6/27/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage is the No. 1 culprit that weakens your home’s foundation and the very core that holds your house together. You’ve heard about core strength for your body. Well, water damage hits at the core strength of your house, eventually causing serious structural damage. Damp wood invites termites and carpenter ants; plus, it causes mold and mildew.

Here’s how to prevent water damage using three easy strategies that will give you peace of mind the next time heavy storms hit.

#1 Test Your Sump Pump

Sump pumps come to life during storms. That’s not when you want to realize yours isn’t working properly. You should check it at least once a year, and ideally perform several checks during heavy storm seasons.

How to test your sump pump:

1. Slowly fill the sump pump pit with water. Watch for the “float” (similar to the float in your toilet) to rise, which should turn on the pump. Then watch to make sure the water level falls.
2. Test your backup pump the same way, but unplug the main pump first.
3. If you don’t have a backup pump — or a generator — and are on municipal water, get one that runs on water pressure. If you’re on well water, your only option is the battery kind.

#2 Check for water leaks and fix them. 

• Check for dark spots under pipes inside sink cabinets, stains on ceilings, toilets that rock, and of course drips.
• At least once a year, inspect your roof. Repair missing, loose, and damaged shingles. Repair any cracked caulking and check for leaks around flashing.

Prolonged and persistent leaks lead to mold. 

This is just 2 very simple ways to avoid having water damage to your home.  However, life happens and SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside is here to help.  Give us a call at 708-240-2873 for all your water damage needs.