Tips for Avoiding Water Damage in Your Home
Posted on: 12 November 2018
Have you ever wondered about basic maintenance tasks that you can do around your home to help avoid the potential for water damage? Are there things you can check to catch a potential hazard in the making before it gets out of hand? Absolutely! In fact, here are a few of those things categorized by plumbing fixtures.
Bathtubs and Showers
There are several things that you can do to protect your bathroom, and they involve the bathtub and shower. Start by inspecting the tiles to determine if any are cracked or missing, as water will often leak behind missing or damaged tiles. The same is true with grout. Make sure to also inspect the caulking around the shower and tub area, and repair or replace any if necessary to avoid water seeping through.
Avoid allowing water to simply remain in the tub, especially overnight, as standing water can always find a way around a defective drain. In addition, after taking a bath or shower, immediately dry the bathroom floor. Do not allow water to sit on the floor because it could seep into the floor and damage it. Also, turn on the fan to draw any moisture from the air; this will help you avoid mold and mildew.
Sinks and Cabinets
You also need to protect your bathroom and kitchen sinks and cabinets. These areas are constantly exposed to moisture, so they should be inspected often for any moisture issues or leaks that could lead to major problems down the road. If there is moisture around a trap or a leak, there could be a plumbing problem somewhere in the home's plumbing system; this should be checked out by a residential plumber.
Take the time to repair any faucet drips because small drips will eventually lead to bigger drips and much bigger issues. Inspect grout and seals around sinks as well, and if you notice cracks or any signs of damage, repair or replace them immediately.
Toilets
The toilet is yet another area that can become compromised if you don't take care of it, so make sure to protect it with the following information. Inspect the seal at the bottom of the toilet on a regular basis, and replace it if you notice water around the base of the commode. Ensure that the toilet tank is not leaking—a leak is present if the tank is filling for no explainable reason; this continuous drip can damage the toilet. You should also inspect all water lines that lead to the commode, as they can frequently leak and result in damage if not treated in a timely fashion.
If you detect any plumbing issues that you cannot handle on your own, contact a residential plumber in your local area.
Share