Preventing Water Damage Restoration Through 7 Simple Steps

“Don’t it always seem to go… that you don’t know what you got ‘till it’s gone…” is a central line in the 1970 song “Big Yellow Taxi.” When I read it, I can’t help but hear the shrill voice of Joni Mitchell in my head, advising me to appreciate what I have before I don’t have anymore. I imagine I’d feel the same way, if, tomorrow, a pipe burst in my seemingly well-kept home and flooded my basement or something. Water damage can be caused by any number of things, but most of them are preventable. Actions you take now in your home could save you time, stress, and money later. Here are a few things you can do, in the spirit of appreciating what you have to prevent yourself from losing it later, to prevent water damage restoration emergencies: 

Water Damage Restoration In Macon

1. Clean your gutters, roof, and downspouts. Leaves and dents in gutters can cause standing water pools, which can erode surfaces and damage the structure of your home. Be familiar with the roof and water deflection system where you live, and keep them clean and so they can work properly and dry after they are exposed to rainfall. 
2. Pay attention to your appliances. Don’t let water sit dormant in anything. Replace hoses that are bulging, discolored, or brittle. Investigate unusual smells, and fix problems right away. Often, appliances have parts that should be replaced regularly. Pay attention to those parts and check up on them before use for signs of impending failure.
3. Insulate your pipes. Get professional help with this restoration process, or you can do it yourself with a heat-insulating tape (or other product) that can be purchased at your local hardware store.
4. Stay organized. If you have a maze of pipes exposed somewhere and you don’t know where each one goes, take the time to go through them with someone and make labels with masking tape and a sharpie. Make sure you know how to turn off the water to certain parts of your home, just in case you need to at a moment’s notice. 
5. Be smart with your water use. Turn off your water when you go on vacation, and try not to leave water running while you’re out of the house (for example, by running a washing machine while you run errands.) 
6. Watch your water bill. A fairly consistent water bill that is predictable is a good sign. Unexpected spikes in a normally even water bill mean that something is up; maybe your toilet is running for too long after you flush, or you have a small leak in a pipe somewhere. 
7. Take care of your drains. Use a drain snake as opposed to chemicals, which can eat away at your pipes. Avoid pouring grease or fat down your drains at all costs. If you go out of town, have someone check on your house or turn off your water altogether to avoid leaks, floods, and other issues that rarely (but can) occur when people are away and cannot address them quickly to minimize damages.

And, of course, sometimes water damage does occur, no matter how well prepared you are. If you are a homeowner in Macon, Southeast Restoration should be your first call for water damage restoration needs. We’ll take care of your home with efficiency, care, and expertise. After all, water damage is inconvenient enough already. Having a sub-par restoration company makes it a nightmare! Choose Southeast Restoration for a good experience, and great restorative results.