What to Do If Water Is In Your Home

Water that has leaked inside of your home can be an indication of a larger problem. Many times, leaks will occur from damage with your roof or from clogged gutters. If left neglected, they can cause significant damage to not only the exterior of your home, but the interior, too.

Not only are these issues costly to repair, there is also the cost to your family’s health from infections and respiratory ailments stemming from molds. Below, we talk about what contributes to water damage and ways to prevent it, such as using a gutter protection system like LeafFilter.

Where Should I Look for Water Leaks in my Home?

It’s important to assess your home on a regular basis to determine if you have a leak, then get it under control in a timely manner. Here are some places that you should check:

Flooded Basements

Check your basement for any type of moisture by feeling the walls and looking for any puddles. A flashlight may come in handy for looking at dark corners.

Basement water can come from several different sources, including clogged gutters, sewers, and pipes. If you feel moisture in your basement, it is important to check these sources to determine if you have a larger issue.

Plumbing

Water pipes can leak and will cause problems within your home. Sink drains may leak or toilets can cause problems, too. Sometimes these fixes will be easy and a homeowner can do it themselves. Other times, a professional may need to be called in to assess the situation and make changes.

Sump Pump

A sump pump is a self-contained system which sits a pit in the basement floor. As water enters, a float-switch kicks on the motor which pumps the water out and way from the house.

Clogged Gutters

A likely culprit of water entering your home is through your gutters and gutter downspout. Gutter clogs can cause water to back up and spill over your soffit and fascia. As water accumulates around the base of your home, it can penetrate the siding or drain directly onto the foundation wall. Tiny cracks will allow water to find its way into your basement.

As these tiny cracks get aggravated with water, structural and foundation issues can occur, which can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars in damage. For this reason, it is important to invest in proper gutter maintenance, or a gutter protection system, like LeafFilter.

Less Obvious Signs of Water Damage:

Aside from obvious signs of water problems like standing water, here are some sneaky signs that you could be facing as a homeowner:

• Unexpected increases in your water bill
• Stains on walls, floors or ceilings
• Damaged or warped flooring
• Warped bottom panels in under-sink cabinets
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• Corrosion on plumbing valves and fittings

What Steps Should I Take if I Find a Leak?

If you suspect you have a leak somewhere in your home, take these steps:

1. Turn off the water: shut off water to the appliance that’s leaking.
2. Consider electricity outlets: If water is pooling around the electrical outlets, turn off the electricity and call an electrician.
3. Get a bucket: If water is leaking under a ceiling, place a bucket under the leak. Clean up as much of the excess water as you can to prevent the growth of mold.
4. Move belongings to a dry area: In order to ensure that you don’t have a mold growth problem, move your belongings to a dry area and pat them down dry. Put furniture on blocks or a put aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent the wood stain from bleeding into carpeting.
5. Don’t throw anything out: If you have a significant leak don’t throw out damaged belongings, especially expensive ones. A claims adjuster may need to inspect them.
6. Contact a professional: Contact a professional roofing contractor, plumber or water damage restoration specialist to help with identification and repair.

Inspecting common sources of water leaks and taking simple preventative measures can be an effective way to reduce the risk of water damage within your home.

Protecting your Home with LeafFilter

Installing a gutter protection system will eliminate any damage that is associated with gutter clogs or a clogged gutter downspout.

The best type of gutter protection system is made out of micromesh. Micromesh gutter protection will prevent leaves, shingle grit and other types of debris from entering and clogging your gutters. And, with a lifetime, transferable warranty – you’ll never have to worry about clogged gutters again!