Peace and tranquility seem to be the cornerstones of the daydreams that include owning your own home. When the dreams come we see a peaceful meadow or even a babbling brook that meanders across the property. We see white fences and closely manicured lawns. Beautiful flowers and blossoming shrubs line the walkways and the driveway. This is the picturesque scene that many people see as the envision owning a home. And while these dreams are attainable the truth is that reality often does not follow the fantastical. Owning a home is a great achievement but it requires a lot of hard work.
One of the most daunting challenges that a homeowner faces is maintaining a secure and structurally sound home. Keeping your home in proper working order requires time and money. One of the scariest things that a homeowner could ever face is water damage. Water is feared because of its intense strength and its ability to penetrate almost any area. If your home has recently experienced water damage or if you are interested in preparing for water damage, the following tips are just for you.
The first tip for handling water issues is making sure that ever water faucet/pipe, in your home, is working properly. This could be accomplished by doing a routine examination every other month. This is not as in depth as it may sound. The entire process can be handled by checking your faucets for any leaks and by examining your pipes for any potential breaks. The most common cause of water damage is not a flood but rather an in house pipe break. Properly examining your pipes will go a long way towards maintaining your homes integrity.
If a flood has already occurred, be it a natural disaster or a pipe break, it is vitally important that you completely remove the water from your home. This is easier said than done. In the case of a natural disaster you are at the mercy of the sands of time. However, once the water has receded you can begin the process of drying out. This can be accomplished best by using a sump pump. This pump runs off of electrical power and can pump water over long distances. Once the large puddles have been emptied it is time to move to step two.
Regardless of the water level, water damage will penetrate your home. once the water has been evacuated it is important that you remove any carpet and rugs. These materials will hold water close to the structure of your home and will lead to additional mold and rot. Once the carpets are removes it is important to quickly spray a mixture of bleach and water all over every affected area. This will kill the mold and mildew and protect you against any additional water damage.
