How to Prevent a Water Damage Disaster

Maintaining a home can be quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Savvy homeowners know how important it is to stay on top of minor household problems so that they don’t grow to be major headaches. In fact, Consumer Reports recommends that homeowners make it a point to take on maintenance projects early on in order to save money and heartache down the road.

So, how can you prevent a disaster from occurring within your own home? Understanding the telltale signs of small problems with the potential to grow will allow you to nip them in the bud before they get out of hand. Here are a few things to look out for:

Runaway Rainwater

Rain and snow are common in the Denver area and that’s fine - so long as it stays where it’s meant to! If your rainwater and melting snow are starting to get out of control, pouring out of gutters and creating puddles along your home’s foundation walls, you could be headed for trouble. When left unattended, these minor issues can cause the deterioration of siding and foundation walls and can even lead to interior flooding. At the first sign of a problem, we recommend that you have your gutters inspected for clogs or corrosion and have these issues corrected promptly.

Leaking Roof

When water is dripping in through your roof or ceiling, it’s pretty obvious that you’ve got a problem. Did you know, though, that there are ways to tell that your roof has a leak even before it ever starts to rain? Keep your eyes peeled for signs like curled, cracked, or missing shingles. This indicates that your roofing materials are near the end of their lifespan and could mean that your roof will start leaking soon. Additionally, cracks in the flashing around your chimney, skylight, vents, or roof valleys could indicate a problem. If you suspect that your roof may have a leak, you must have it evaluated and repaired by a professional as soon as possible. This will save you from interior flooding, mold and mildew growth, the discoloration of walls and ceilings, etc.

Cracks in the Foundation

If you believe that cracks are a normal and healthy part of a structure’s aging process, think again! When cracks start to develop in the concrete foundation around your home, you could soon be faced with problems related to the structural integrity of your entire residence. Even hairline cracks as small as 3/16 of an inch can wreak havoc, and if the walls are bulging or buckling, it’s definitely time to take action. In order to keep your home safe, you’ll need to hire a professional to evaluate the cracks and have them filled in or otherwise repaired.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are yucky, but they’re also dangerous growths to have inside your home. Sometimes, the signs of mold and mildew are quite obvious, as you are able to visually detect spores growing on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces of your home. In other cases, the mold may be hidden, but if you notice a musty odor or dank air within your home, there’s a good chance that these growths are somewhere inside. When ignored, mold and mildew can negatively impact your health, aggravating existing respiratory infections, causing illness, and even leading to allergic reactions. It’s smart to have your home assessed for the presence of mold and to hire a mold abatement company to quickly and safely remove any mold or mildew from your house ASAP.

Ignoring small problems today can mean that you end up spending a lot of money and dealing with tons of stress tomorrow. Prevent disaster by reaching out to the experts at Abbotts Fire & Flood today. We offer free estimates on important home repairs and restoration projects, along with excellent, affordable services.