Preventing water damage

Date published: 1st September 2014

Your home can be at risk of water damage for a number of reasons and if you are planning to go away for a period of time, it’s especially important to understand what elements pose the biggest threats and how you can protect your home.

Listen

Have a good listen to your water lines and pipes and try to pick out any unusual noises. These can sometimes indicate leaks which can, over time, cause significant damage. If you can hear odd noises coming from your pipes, call your plumber to get them investigated.

Repair

Irritating little things like leaky taps and dripping toilets can end up being far more than just an annoying inconvenience. If left unattended, they can cause water damage in your home that can be costly to repair. So get to work on repairing these little issues if you’re feeling handy. If you’re not too confident with DIY, call your plumber and give them a list of issues.

Inspect

Have a good look around your home for water stains paying particular attention to areas behind your washing machine and dishwasher, under your sink and around your water heater. While you’re behind the washing machine and dishwasher, check out the hoses running into the back and make sure they’re intact. Any cracks or worn patches could spell disaster.

Also, search the ceiling and walls for areas of bubbling paint or water stains as these may indicate a leak in one of your pipes. Stains on the ceiling in particular may point to a leak in your roof which will need to be fixed urgently.

Do it right

Water damage in homes is also often caused by improperly installed equipment such as dishwashers and washing machines. If you have new appliances to install but you’re not really sure what you’re doing, it’s best to call in a plumber in Plymouth who will fit them properly and make sure they don’t cause you problems in the long term.

Pressure reducing valves

If you’re concerned about water damage, it’s worth investigating pressure reducing valves on your mains water pipes. Installing these clever devices ensures that the pressure from your water supply is kept at a sensible, safe level. Even if the pressure from the supply fluctuates, the valves will regulate the levels at a functional pressure.

A plumber will help you to install pressure reducing valves and explain to you how to maintain and operate them. It’s always best to consult your plumber regarding pressure reducing valves as their experience will be very helpful in choosing the right ones.

Turn the stop tap off

If you’re concerned about leaks and water damage and you’re planning to go away, you can always locate the water stop tap and turn off the water supply for the duration of your absence. You can usually locate the stop tap under the sink or under the stairs.