Things to Keep in Mind to Avoid Water Damage at Home

        Know where the main shut off valve is

• Make sure that not only do you know where it is, but as well as other members in your household. Your shut-off valve is your first line of defence when you detect a leak. It is typically located on the perimeter of the house, within 3 to 5 feet of where the main water first enters your home. If you don’t find it on the front wall of your house, most likely it is in the mechanical room, or close to the furnace. You can also find it inside your garage or near the water heater if your house is built on a slab. Outside the house, it is buried beneath the ground near the street and is sometimes labeled “water or water meter”, you should see it under the cover. If you’re still unlucky to find the shut-off valve after searching for it, you may check the property inspection report when you purchase your home. That’s the quickest way to make your hunt easier.  When you find it, turn it clockwise several times until the water is cut off. Shutting off the water at the main shut-off valve is the best option for leaks that cannot be shut off from local valves. 
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• Keep in mind that it only takes minutes for ruptures or severe leaks to cause damage in your home. Knowing where and how to shut off the water supply is crucial.
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        Proactively check for leaks

• Mild leaks can easily go undetected yet do significant damage if left long enough. Consider that a leaky tap not only results in property damage but as well as rising water bills. Check all areas in your home where a leak commonly occurs. Underneath sinks, on the toilet’s grout and rubber washer, shower valve behind the wall or showerhead, the tub waste shoe, waste pipes, and around appliances. Anything you can do to proactively protect your home from water damage would do you a huge favour, so make every effort to do this regularly. Remember, one sudden flood situation can cause thousands of dollars in damage in minutes.
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        Service your sump pump once a year

• If you have a sump pump, make sure it is well-maintained and serviced once a year. You wouldn’t want flood in your basement after prolonged spells of rain don’t you? Take note that water damage isn’t only caused by what Mother Nature brings, like hurricanes, heavy rains, or floods. Often, it begins because of blocked gutters or tiny leaks, which when identified ahead can be fixed right away. When left undetected, even a tiny leak can lead to mould and mildew growth, damp walls, and other costly property damage. That’s why it’s very important to stay ahead of any leak situations. The part where the pipes connect to the valve is the common spot for leaks to occur on sump pumps. Run your fingers on it for moisture or traces of water.
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        Keep your gutters clear of debris

• Gutters are designed to collect water from the sky and direct it away from your home. If the gutter is clogged up, the water will drip or crawl to your home’s foundation and other vital parts in the house, compromising its stability. Leaves are the most common culprit of blocked gutters, but don’t single them out. Moss and weeds are regularly found to be major causes too. 
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• If water is running down the side of your house,  you notice increased moisture in your walls, or a gutter seems sagging, then they’re likely choked off and need to be serviced. If you have sturdy and extendable ladders, you might be able to manage the cleaning yourself. Just dress for the job and stand the ladder on a stable surface. You can use a gutter scoop, even your kid’s sandbox shovel will work too, for scooping the gunks off your gutter. Spread a tarp underneath your workspace to collect all the gunks. Finally, you can use a garden hose to flush the remaining dirt. If the cleaning is done, you can repair sagging metal with a mounting gutter hanger. 
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         Prevent pipes from freezing

• Adjust the temperature to stay at a minimum of at least 10 degrees Celsius if you plan on being away. Enough warm water running inside the pipes prevents freezing damage from taking place. If you reckon you’ll be away for an extended period, turn off the shut-off water valve instead and consider draining the remaining water. This will ensure no water is at risk for freezing inside the pipe. 
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• Exposed pipes should be properly insulated, especially old pipes made of steel and copper because they are less tolerant to freezing temperatures. You can use a snap-on pipe insulation. They are reasonably cheap and can significantly protect your home from pipe burst pipe situations.
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        Integrate smart leak detectors in your plumbing system

• Install a water leak detection device. They’re relatively affordable, detection devices that cut off the water supply in cases of leak events. This is a very good addition in your home space if you’re always away for an extended period. Expensive models work like an all-in-one device. It gives homeowners the ability to monitor pipe leaks, and do something about it via smartphones before it can create damage in your homes.

        Keep a watchful eye for mould

• Slow leaks don’t set off alarms, but it does leave obvious visual clues. If your house is exposed to humid temperature, lacks ventilation, or has plumbing leaks, moisture develops that encourages mould growth. Mould can manifest in different ways so pay attention to dark spots between the grout of your shower tiles, peeling wallpaper, flaking paints,  mould spores, the list doesn’t stop there. All of these can mean costly home repair when left ignored. 

1. Mould may not be bothersome to some people, but it can aggravate respiratory allergies or asthma in individuals already suffering from this condition. If your home suddenly smells mustier than usual, you’re in bad luck for having a mould problem on your hands.

        Keep a reliable plumber’s contact number

1. Having a plumber on speed dial as soon as you notice signs of water damage in your home gives you confidence that rescue is on the way at one call, and that the water has no chance to devastate your home. 
2. Bear in mind that water damages in your home will cost you enormously more than proactive repair will. Let alone the damages it might cause to your possessions. So it’s important to avoid reactive solutions. After all, it’s way better to be safe than sorry.

        Know when to hire a pipe relining Sydney professional

• Stray of water around your house is an obvious sign of a leak. If you don’t nip it in the bud right away, you’re only giving it an opportunity to cause more damage in your home. If you want to be ahead on any water damage situation, tap with the pipe relining Sydney professionals, like our team. Our knowledge in plumbing is not only limited to minor repairs, but we can do complex repairs inside out, under your property and up on your roof where the gutters and downpipe are not working. Our pipe relining services Sydney works best on pipes with cracks, holes and other damages. So, don’t wait till it’s beyond repair before you make a decision. Through the pipeline relining method, your pipes are restored to full-functional condition with little or no digging involved. 
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• Revolution Pipe Relining comes fully equipped with all the latest high-grade tools for sewer pipe relining, drain pipe relining, cast iron pipe relining and trenchless sewer relining. All of these pipe repair methods enable the pipe to become sturdy enough so it doesn’t easily give in to plumbing problems that can result in water damage.