A drip here and there are the first signs of a possible water damage; this is something that we just dry off with a paper towel. However, leaks under the kitchen sink and water stains on the ceiling are warning signs that real water problems like a rotten floorboard and weakened roof is happening. As you know, a burst pipe can damage your home and flooding can lead to mold and mildew problems. So, why take a chance? You need to know where these water problems start and how to prevent them.
Possible Culprits
The Kitchen – Dishwashers, Refrigerators, and the sink are the most vulnerable areas where possible water damage could happen. You need to periodically check these areas for discolorations, softening, and wet spots because these signs could be telling you that something needs to be fixed.
The Bathroom – The Bathroom is definitely a place where a lot of water activities take place. You need to check the shower and tub for cracked or deteriorated caulk and leaks from sink water pipes. Also, check the internal rubber and plastic parts of your toilets because chlorine cleaners tend to corrode plastic and rubber.
Laundry, Basement, and Utility Room – Watch out for rust on the tank and wet spots on the floor of your water heaters as this could be a sign of a water problem. This also goes true with your washing machine. Simply check the hoses for possible cracking, bulging, and fraying.
Stopping Leaks
When you suspect a leak, the first step is to turn off your home’s water valve. For easy to reach and small leaks, you can easily fix it with commercial water sealants. However, if you are unsure of what to do and wish to attain a permanent solution, don’t hesitate to call your plumber.
Water Leak Alarm
Hiring plumbers and changing pipes and hoses could really be expensive as well as time wasting. Thus, the best way to deal with water leak problems is by fixing it as soon as it occurs. Since you can’t go checking all your pipes one by one every day, the best alternative is to install leak alarm systems. You can hire someone to install it for you or you can actually do it yourself. There are a lot of easy to install water leak alarms sold in the market today. The price of a leak alarm depends on its durability, reliability, as well as its add on features. There are also some state-of-the-art water leak alarms like the Nowa Water Leak Alarm System that comes with a freeze sensor that turns off your main water valve as soon as it detects that your home temperature goes below 5 degrees.
A water leak alarm could range from less than a hundred to a couple of hundred bucks but it’s worth every penny. Just think of the thousands of dollars you can save from what serious water damage can cause.