7 SAVVY TIPSTO PREVENT WATER DAMAGE

Water is your home’s number one enemy. Water leaking into your home can cause flooding, foundation problems, mold and mildew, and wood rot, all of which can be costly and time consuming to fix. Defend your home from water damage with these

7 SAVVY TIPS.

1. INVEST IN GUTTER PROTECTION

Clogged gutters are the number one culprit of water damage. Debris buildup causes gutters to overflow, which puts your roof and foundation at severe risk.

1 2A temporary solution is to tackle gutter cleaning, but is not a long-term prevention strategy.

A permanent solution is to invest in LeafFilter™ gutter protection, which is guaranteed to keep leaves, debris, and critters out of your gutters for the lifetime of your home.

HERE’S HOWyou can prevent water damage due to clogged gutters:

2. SEAL IT UP

Moisture leaks around windows, doors, and other openings in your home might not seem like a big issue, but over time, they can cause wood rot, and mold and mildew buildup.

1 2Carefully caulk around all exposed cracks. For larger cracks, you can use foam rods or expandable foam.

Bonus: Sealing these cracks and crevices will also help you save money on your energy bill.

to keep water from seeping in between the cracks:

HERE’S HOW

3. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR LANDSCAPING

In addition to boosting curb appeal, proper landscaping can also help prevent water damage to your home.

1 2Slope your yard away from your home to prevent rainwater from flowing towards your foundation. Build it up with extra dirt if need be.

Install yard drains in low spots to keep water from causing sinkholes and foundation damage.

to use landscaping to your advantage:

HERE’S HOW

4. REPAIR YOUR ROOF

An old or damaged roof leaves your home vulnerable to water leaks.

1 2Call a professional roofer to patch any damaged spots in your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingles, moss buildup, and discoloration.

Completely replace roofs that are over 20 years old.

to keep your roof in tip top shape:

HERE’S HOW

5. PATCH THAT PLUMBING

Leaks in your plumbing may not be visibly noticeable until there’s a big problem. If you start to see yellowed spots on your ceiling, or hear a dripping noise inside your walls, it’s time to act fast. Call your trusted plumbing professional, and get that leak fixed immediately.

1 2Regularly check your pipes for cracks or other damage, especially after a freeze or thaw.

Monitor your water bill for unusual spikes, which can indicate a water leak.

you can prevent plumbing mishaps:

HERE’S HOW

6. MIND YOUR SUMP PUMP

Homes that have sump pumps are at extra risk of water damage.

1 2Get a backup generator or battery powered pump to keep it running during power outages.

Regularly check your pump for frozen or clogged lines, pump damage, and other issues.

to prevent problems like basement flooding:

HERE’S HOW

7. GET A DEHUMIDIFIER

If you still have unwanted moisture in your home with no known cause, it could just be natural humidity in the environment.

GET A DEHUMIDIFIER TO KEEP UP WITH THE LOCAL CLIMATE.

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