Grab your flashlight and put on some old clothes – we’re going to check your home for water damage from top to bottom! Water damage can cause serious issues, from toxic mold to structural damage. Regularly checking your home for problems can save thousands of dollars and ensure that your family is safe and healthy. Let’s get started:
- The basement – Start at the lowest level of your house and work your way up. Look for cracks, stains, dampness, standing water, mold, or mildew. Take a look at your pipes. Also use your sense of smell to detect any troubling odors related to water.
- Your bathrooms – Look for corrosion around pipes, leaks, stains, and moisture. Check the area around your toilet, sink, and tubs. Pay special attention to the caulking around your fixtures, especially your tub or shower.
- Your kitchen – Take a peek under the sink as well as behind your refrigerator, where the water line can often cause problems. Check the walls, ceilings, and floors for signs of water damage and warping.
- Your attic – Make sure that there are no signs of leaks, especially at key areas, such as where the roof meets the walls. Also, check areas around the chimney and vents. Make sure all of your insulation is dry.
- The exterior – Take a look at your roof from the outside and examine it for missing, loose, or curled shingles. Make sure your gutters are clear and that your gutter spouts take water far enough away from the foundation of your home. Look for standing water in unusual places.
If you find issues, make sure to investigate the problem fully and to get assistance from a professional if needed. Many water damage issues may be more serious than they first appear, and fixing the source of the leak completely is vital.
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