When it comes to our homes, there isn’t much we wouldn’t do to make it the best and most comfortable place to live in, which is why we all tend to spend big in order to make everything to our taste. On the other hand, sometimes it can also seem like there is always something we need to do about our home, but certain things here have a priority. Namely, checking those things that can cause damage to our home should be high on our to-do list, and water leaks can be a big problem if not noticed and dealt with in time. Here are some of the most common things to keep an eye on and tips on how to prevent costly water leaks in your home, but if you want to deal with all possible problems right away, local plumbing services are the best way to go, and more info on that you can find here.
Check the home appliances
Many people have different appliances in their homes that use water for their operation, such as washing machines, dishwasher machines, or refrigerator, which, although it does not use water, can cause leaks because of the ice gathered inside. Because of that, these appliances need to be maintained properly, and their hoses checked regularly since even one small crack can cause leaking and huge damage to our home. In most cases, it is listed in instructions, but since many people simply throw them away, it is important to know that hoses cannot last forever, and their lifespan is about five years, so it is better to change them in time.
Washing machine
Water leaks can cause so much damage to the house, and mold is just one of the long-term damages that are difficult and costly to solve in the future. Now, most of those problems originate from appliances we all use on a regular basis due to a lack of maintenance. Of course, it’s not like the type of damage is the same for just any appliance, but there are some of them that, if they break, can really create a nightmare, and the washing machine is high on that list.
In-home water damage is something no one wants to experience and deal with, and having any leaks can lead to thousands and thousands spent on repairs. Overall, if your washing machine hose is leaking and you use it every day but don’t notice leaks on time, at some point, the damage that leak will cause can be a big and expensive problem. So, in order to avoid unpleasant situations and wasting money on unnecessary repairs, make sure to check and maintain your machine. It is a far less expensive thing to do that will also doesn’t take too much of your time. Just like with any other thing, hoses on these machines have a life expectancy, and you should know that it’s usually about five years. In the end, not checking for leaks or whether the hose is damaged or not will eventually lead to many hours spent on repairing the damages.
Check the pressure
Okay, this is probably one of the most common things that can create a mess, and if the water pressure is too high, it can lead to water leaks. Yes, low pressure is something no one wants, especially when showering, but high water pressure is actually much more dangerous. It’s not just the faucet or a hose that’s endangered here, as high pressure can damage the pipes too. On the other hand, you can easily avoid such problems by checking the pressure, and the gauge can really be a lifesaver here, as all that’s needed to read how high the pressure is is to attach it to the faucet and turn it on. The gauge will give you the best insight into how high pressure is and whether certain actions are needed or not.
Fix the roof is necessary
People scared of heights are not happy to climb on the roof and inspect it, but even one cracked shingle can cause serious problems to their homes, so it is important to make sure that it is in perfect condition. The situation becomes even worse if some of them are missing, and there is no doubt that water will slowly get into the house and provoke costly damage. Regarding that, inspecting the roof before every rainy season is a must, and if you are not feeling comfortable being that high, call someone to help you instead of avoiding it since the problems it can cause can cost a real fortune.
Turn off the water
One of the common mistakes that people make is not to turn off the water when leaving home for a longer time. Although it seems unnecessary, it is important to know that during the winter, water in pipes can easily freeze if no one is in the house and make cracks in pipes that can cause floods. It can be unnoticed if no one is home for a long time, and we can be left without a place to stay until everything is fixed, which requires a lot of time and money. Luckily, it can easily be prevented, as turning off the water can be done in a few seconds if we know where the stopcock is, but make sure to drain all the pipes before leaving.
The water bill is important
One of the worst habits most of us have is simply paying the bills without inspecting them before. Okay, we all agree that all the bills need to be paid, but they can tell us a lot if we know what to look for. Sometimes the water leaks can remain invisible for a long time, and if the water consumption is higher every month, it is a sign that something is not right. Once we notice that, we need to inspect the entire home, find the problem and fix it because it is too late.
Insulate the outdoor pipes
Indoor pipes do not need extra insulation because the temperature in our homes rarely drops to freezing temperatures, but when it comes to outdoor ones, we need to think about insulation. Insulating the pipes is not a costly investment, and it can save us from much more expensive repairs we need to deal with if they burst, as they can create damage to walls, floors, and foundations.
