Many older homes and some newer homes have a tendency to suffer from all kinds of disasters especially when homeowners are lax on preventive maintenance. The most common damage to a home comes from water. However, homeowners can catch these water problems before they begin and take certain preventive measures to make sure that the damage will not occur once more.
Water damage can be quite devastating if allowed to get out of hand or it goes undetected for some time. This type of damage is not like other kinds because it can occur deep inside the homes foundation and many hard to get to places that can lead to mold and rot.
A homes washer is generally connected to both the hot and cold water lines. Make sure that you check both lines out so ensure that they are not leaking. Check the hoses and both water line ends; this means your washer should be moved away from the wall. Begin with the joints. If you find a leak, repair it either duct tape or special glue. If you feel the leak is beyond your capability to repair it, bring in a professional to fix the problem.
Every three months, replace and/or clean out the washer filters. Doing so keeps the filtered from becoming blocked which will slow down the water in the washer, leading to two problems. First, blocked filters can cause mechanical malfunctions. Second, a blocked filter can cause your water bill to skyrocket. If you live in an area that is susceptible to hard water, increase this preventive maintenance routine. Be sure to examine the shut off valve for leaks. Should there be any, replace it.
The majority of household appliances have hoses so its important to check them out to ensure that they are not leaking or frayed. Make sure the water connection and back of the washer is about four inches apart from one another. If you see problems with the hoses, replace them. Consider purchasing the steel braided hoses for its longevity. If not, youll be replacing those ordinary hoses at least two times a year.
The ventilation hose that your dryer is connected to needs to be replaced every two years. Be sure to check it thoroughly and often to ensure that there are no holes/tears. Remember that this ventilation hose but connect to the outside world. For this reason, animals/insects can chew on it, causing you problems down the road. Ensure that the vent pipe isnt clogged by looking for lint behind and under the dryer. Clean out the lint trap after each dryer load so that the appliance does not overheat, which can cause the hoses stress.
If youre suffering water damage, look at the utility sink. Be sure to leak underneath it and behind it. If you find puddles of water or water discoloration, you may have a leak. If you see sunken boards, thats an indication of a past leak. Any drips into the sinks trap means you have immediate problems and need to be repaired at once. If youre pipes are draining slowly, you may have a somewhat blocked drained, you need to hire a professional to take care of this immediately.
You can get rid of clogs by using household cleaners but if they fail, dont attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, call in a professional. If a faucet is continuously running or the sink seals are cracked and/or loose, you should replace at once. If your walls are damp or becoming stained, you need to rule internal plumbing leaks. If you find problems, call in a professional as soon as you can to prevent further problems.