If you want to keep your home or business free of costly plumbing issues, you need reliable water damage prevention. Cleanup & Total Restoration works meticulously to ensure water leaks remain a rare occurrence on your property. We offer comprehensive services so you’ll only work with one company for all your needs.

Table of Contents

1. Install Leak Detection Devices

Installing leak detection devices is one important aspect of preventing water damage, especially when no one’s at work or home to look for water damage. A leak detector can only activate when water physically touches it, but with evolving technology, they’re developing a wider range of detection and features.

Leak detectors come with a variety of power levels and features, but the most common include:

Whole-home leak detectors: While the name is a bit misleading, these detectors can detect leaks in a wide area throughout your home. They often integrate with a wireless network or smart systems like Amazon or Google with a sensor puck and leak-sensing cable.
Mid-range leak detectors: These detectors cover a wider range than individual device varieties but less than the more powerful models. They often still have limited smart integration but require a smaller investment.
Device leak detectors: The most affordable model of leak detectors, you place them under your appliances most likely to develop leaks.

2. Inspect Appliances & Fixtures

One of the most essential steps in your regular cleaning process is confirming all appliances and fixtures have quality and secure connections. Leaking appliances are one of the major sources of water damage, so you should inspect them regularly to prevent issues. You should also maintain your appliances by making repairs as soon as you notice problems and upgrading to newer models once your current ones grow too old.

Examining Toilet Tanks

A leaky toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of water each day in addition to rotting the floor around the toilet. The most common toilet tank problems include:

Faulty overflow tube, flush valve, fill valve, or flapper valve
Impaired tank ball
A clog in the overflow tube
Improper water level
Loose bolts
Slow flushes
Mineral buildup
Blocked drain vent

Proper installation and regular inspection can prevent the issue. Toilet tanks have an average life expectancy of around seven years.

Correctly Connecting Refrigerators

Not all fridges have access to water, but if they have an ice or water dispenser, they need a water connection. Confirming a proper connection can avoid a large amount of water damage. Follow these tips to prevent your fridge from causing water damage:

Install a water softener to avoid mineral buildup
Prevent dust and debris from accumulating behind the appliance
Replace the water line with copper or stainless steel
Regularly look under the fridge for potential water damage.
Confirm the door seals properly

Regularly Inspecting Dishwashers

Dishwashers use a large amount of water, and a faulty seal or loose hose can create large puddles of water in the kitchen if you don’t check it periodically. The following tips can help you avoid water damage from your dishwasher:

Moderate your detergent levels to avoid too many soap suds.
Keep the dishwasher drain clear of clogs.
Occasionally wipe down the door gaskets.
Run the garbage disposal when your drain backs up.
Confirm the dishwasher remains level.
Regularly inspect the water inlet valve.
Clear the bottom of any grease and food debris and wash the filter

Maintaining Water Heaters

A water heater can leak in several places, so as part of your regular inspection process, you should confirm it doesn’t have any loose connections or components.

Mineral buildup is a major cause of a leaking water heater, so consider installing a water softener to reduce the effects. You should also set the water heater to a moderate 130 degrees, as higher settings can increase the rate of sediment buildup.

Tightening Faucets

Most homeowners have experienced a leaky faucet and they’re always a nuisance. Properly installing the fixture and staying vigilant for any sign of leakage can help you fix a small issue before it becomes a major one. Kitchen and bathroom faucets usually last between 15 and 20 years, but they’ll become more vulnerable to leaks as they reach the end of their lifespan.

Check Washing Machine Hoses

Pay special attention to washing machine hoses. They are a major source of leaks that go undetected for extended durations. Double-checking the connection should prevent damage. You can further maintain your washing machine using the following tips:

Don’t use more than the recommended amount of detergent.
Avoid putting too many clothes in your washer.
Run the washer cleaning cycle periodically.
After using it, leave the door open to allow for natural drying.
Replace the hose every three to five years (or as needed).
Regularly inspect the seals and gaskets.

With proper use and maintenance, your washing machine should last between 10 and 15 years. Once it’s at least a decade old, consider upgrading to a newer model so you don’t risk problems that cause water damage.

3. Check Your Water Pressure

One essential component of water damage prevention is monitoring your water pressure. Low water pressure often provides an early indication of leaks or clogs before you can see any water damage.

You’ll likely notice major drops in your water pressure, as your dishes may not become as clean and you’ll feel like showers are less enjoyable. However, you can notice more minute changes if you install a pressure sensor, which often comes with the following features:

The ability to convert changes in water pressure into an electrical signal it uses as a notification
Smart-home or mobile phone integration so you can receive notifications on the go
Adaptability to measure pressure both in tanks and pipes
The ability to measure absolute, gauge, or differential pressure

Your water pressure should remain between 40 and 70 psi. If you’re dealing with excessive water pressure, especially as it reaches 100 psi, consider using a pressure manager to help regulate it back down to safe and comfortable levels. Water pressure exceeding 80 psi can burst your pipes.

4. Keep Gutters Clean

Managing your outdoor water prevention methods is as important as maintaining your indoor ones. Your roof and gutters work together as a system to provide widespread protection against damage from heavy rains and severe weather. To bolster your roof’s ability to keep water out of your home, maintain it and regularly clean your gutters.

Follow these tips for keeping your gutters in the best condition:

Clean your gutters at least twice a year by scooping out leaves and other debris.
Use water from a hose to help identify any leaks or clogs.
Install gutter barriers for improved protection.
Rely on professionals for maintenance and prepare to stay confident you’re obtaining the best results.
Promptly remove ice and snow buildup from your gutters and roof.

You should also maintain your roof by scheduling yearly inspections, examining it for damage after storms, and making repairs promptly rather than delaying.

5. Prevent Frozen Pipes and Pipe Bursts

Frozen and burst pipes are a major source of water damage. Small leaks can result in just as much water damage as gushing bursts because they tend to go undetected longer. Preventing these issues is one of the most important steps in water damage prevention.

To help prevent your pipes from freezing, invest in insulating them and turn off access to your outdoor spigots. Keep your kitchen and bathroom cabinets open so your furnace can help keep them warm. When temperatures drop significantly below freezing, allow your faucets to maintain a constant drip of water until the temperatures increase.

The best way to keep your pipes from bursting is to keep your water pressure within recommended bounds and keep your drains clear. Much like an artery with a plaque buildup, clogs in your pipes can increase the pressure to the point where the pipe ruptures. Avoid sending the following substances down your drains:

Products marketed as flushable like wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Paper towels or napkins
Excessive amounts of toilet paper
Cotton balls or pads
Dental floss or other stringy material
Clumps of hair (install drain catchers in your shower)
Bandages, fruit stickers, and other adhesive materials
Medications, cleaning supplies, paint, and chemical drain cleaners (which can corrode your pipes)
Fats, oils, and grease can solidify within your pipes
Fruit pits, peels, and bones
Pasta, rice, and other starches
Coffee grounds, kitty litter, and eggshells.

6. Monitor Your Water Bill

Many types of leaks, such as those under your foundation, can make spotting water damage difficult. While it’s not the fastest method of detecting leaks, keeping an eye on your water bill can provide a clear indication you’re leaking water. If your bill keeps climbing despite you using roughly the same amount of water, you most surely have a leak.

How much will a water leak cost you? The increase will look marginal and could range between one and six dollars.

However, examining your bill isn’t really about the money; it’s about what the increase means. Your bill probably doesn’t vary by more than a few cents each month, so even an increase of a dollar means you have a serious problem you should address immediately.

You can also stay vigilant for the following signs:

If you hear water flowing when you’re not using it, you’ve likely located the source of the leak.
You can monitor your water meter, and if you see it ticking up when water isn’t running, you can blame the leak.
Water damage on your walls, ceiling, and flooring

7. Quickly Investigate and Fix Leaks

If you realize you have a leak, quickly investigate it and call for repairs. Never try to DIY a leak repair, as you’ll likely end up causing much more damage than you repair. You’ll also likely need help finding the leak if you want increased water damage protection.

A professional plumber can use a camera hose to locate even the most subtle leaks and repair them quickly to avoid any further damage. The longer you wait to call for repairs, the higher your repair costs will rise.

Locate Your Shut-Off Valve

One of the best things you can do to prevent water damage is locate your shut-off valve. This can stop the water from flowing into your home and thus prevent the leak from causing damage. As soon as you realize you have a leak, shut off the water, provided you can do so safely.

You can locate the shut-off valve in one of the following locations:

Just inside your exterior wall in the basement where the water line enters your home.
Adjacent to your water meter just outside your home.
For municipal water supplies, you may find it closer to the curb.

You can also call the utility company to shut off your water.

8. Look For Mold

One crucial step for preventing water damage from becoming more severe is regularly checking your home for mold. It can grow in your walls and floors, so you may not always know you have it. Some signs you have mold include:

Musty odors in your home
Worsening allergies or respiratory issues in your home
Unabating cough, cold symptoms, or rash
Memory loss or headaches
Rotting wood in your walls or floors

Mold means you already have some water damage, but if you catch the problem early, you can contain the issue without incurring excessive expenses. If you notice any of these signs, call for service immediately to prevent the problem from growing worse.

Cleanup & Total Restoration Makes Preventing Water Damage Easy

Water damage prevention is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home or business safe. At Cleanup & Total Restoration, we specialize in helping you recover from water damage and prevent it from coming back. With cutting-edge technology, certified technicians, and upfront pricing, you’ll love the quality of both our service and work.

You can obtain a free quote by filling out our online form or calling (208) 856-6012.

1. Install Leak Detection Devices