As a homeowner, one of your greatest fears might be water damage. It is a common issue for property owners across the state of Pennsylvania. Essentially, water damage occurs whenever moisture gets into places where it shouldn’t be. Water damage has many causes, from leaky appliances to burst pipes to clogged gutters. Having spent so much money on your property, it should be a top priority to protect the investment from the dangers of water damage.

If you do nothing about water in your home, many negative things can happen. The structure of the building itself could be compromised if the wooden framework, foundations, walls, or ceilings are exposed to moisture. Mold can develop when water collects in dark spaces in the building, diminishing air quality. Possessions can be ruined if they are in contact with water when they shouldn’t be.

Your goal is to prevent costly damage to your home and possessions by proactively avoiding the causes of water damage. Here are a few tips for protecting your home from these scenarios.

Understand Your Plumbing System

In many cases, water damage gets out of control because of a lack of knowledge. Homeowners who do not understand how their plumbing works will not know what to look for to prevent water damage. Or, if something does happen, they may not recognize it immediately and take steps to end the issue. While it is always better to consult with professionals, you can do a DIY plumbing inspection once you know the ins and outs of how the system in your home works. This could include testing all your faucets, examining drains, learning where all your shutoff valves are, and regularly checking your pipes. When you know more about the plumbing in your Chester Springs home, it can be easier to do regular checks and spot irregularities that could indicate water damage.

Know the Signs

One of the keys to preventing water damage is knowing what signs to watch out for. If you notice discoloration on your walls, floors, or ceilings, then this could indicate that there is a pipe leaking somewhere in the home. Noticing a musty smell is a telltale sign of mold growth, in which case there is probably moisture accumulation in a crawlspace or basement. Architectural elements like beams, drywall, ceilings, and more can be compromised by prolonged exposure to water, resulting in bending or bowing. If you notice ceilings that seem to be bowing or beams that are not in their usual shape, inspect the nearby areas for water. When you know the signs of water damage, you can spot an issue quickly and remedy it before it leads to a more costly problem.

Update Old Siding/Roofing

The biggest culprits of water damage are often outdated siding and roofs. Older homes with outdated materials could be allowing rainwater into the home, causing many internal issues that can cost a lot of money. Perhaps it is time to update your Chester Springs stucco siding to a newer material that is more water-resistant, or replace your aging shingle roof with a metal one. Over time, the wear and tear of weather could have compromised the older materials on the exterior of your home, so switching them out for upgraded materials will keep your home well-insulated moving forward.

Winterize Your Pipes

During the cold Pennsylvania winters, burst pipes are a huge problem for homeowners. When water freezes, it expands, which can put pressure on your pipes and cause them to burst in cold temperatures. The result can be water trickling into your home over time or spilling quickly and flooding an entire basement. The best way to prevent this from happening is to properly winterize your pipes. Figure out where the pipes are in your home and do a visual inspection. Do any of them need some extra insulation because they are exposed to cooler air? Could some older pipes do with a replacement since they are worn down and more likely to burst if frozen? One trick to prevent pipes from freezing is to allow a small trickle from a faucet since moving water will not freeze. Additionally, if you leave your home during the winter for an extended period, make sure that the thermostat is set to still keep the building relatively warm. The last thing you want is to return to a flooded home because you tried to save on heating by turning the thermostat down too far.

The Best Approach is Proactive

Water damage can cause thousands of dollars worth of repairs in the worst circumstances. If you wait for issues to arise, it may be too late and your bank account will bear the consequences. Be proactive when protecting your home from water damage. Inspect the plumbing system regularly to spot issues early. Know the signs of water damage so that you can take quick action to find the displaced moisture. Update old siding or roofing if it could cause leaks in the home. Prepare your pipes well for the cold Pennsylvania winters. These proactive steps might end up saving you thousands of dollars by helping you avoid severe water damage.