Water damage is considered the number one cause of weakened foundations. When water invades your home, it eventually causes serious structural damage. Not only does the water itself cause extensive damage, but with water comes a range of other issues, including termites, mold, and mildew, which can cause even more damage to your home in Albany, NY. Just a small amount of water can cause significant damage to your home, so it’s essential that you take the precautions against water damage. NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency has put together a few tips to help protect your home from expensive water damage.

Routinely Check Hoses and Faucets

Hose and faucets with persistent leaks eventually cause mold and mildew, rot and even termites. It is important to routinely check all the hoses and faucets in your home for leaks and repair them as soon as possible. To check for leaks, look for dark spots inside sink cabinets, a rocking toilet, ceiling stains, and drips.

Only Run Water Appliances When You’re Home

As tempting as it is to start the dishwasher or washing machine before leaving for work or to run errands, it’s best to stay home while these appliances are running. The reason you should stay with these appliances is that all it takes is for a hose to break or the washing machine to overflow and you’re instantly facing serious water damage. If you are home when a problem occurs, you’ll be able to act quickly and deal with leaks when they happen, but if you’re away, by the time you get it home, it may be too late to prevent extensive damage. One thing to keep in mind is that just one burst hose has the potential to pump out 500-600 gallons of water into your home within an hour; this can result in a lot of extensive and expensive damage.

Maintain the Plumbing System

There’s nothing better than having access to a shower with high water pressure, but if the water pressure is too high, it may cause problems. The recommended water pressure for residential systems is typically between 40-70 PSI. The excess water pressure can put stress and pressure on the hoses and pipes, which may them to fail. Along with checking the water pressure, it’s also important to routinely check for leaks and pay attention to the signs of potential plumbing problems, such as noisy pipes, rusty water or moisture on walls or floors.

There are several ways your home can experience water damage, so it’s important to pay attention to areas where there is water, including the roof, gutters, plumbing system, and basement. If you do notice a potential problem, it’s essential that you repair the problem immediately.

Residents of Albany, NY interested in learning more information about home insurance should contact NY Twin Bridges Insurance Agency.