Water Damage Tips and Advice

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Water damage may come from several sources around the home including appliances that malfunction such as refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers etc. Though most rooms around the house have the ability to cause water damage, none are as common as the bathroom. The bathroom is possibly the most common used room of a home which is why it’s critical to keep in working order. The general look and feel of a bathroom can also add to the general feel of a home and in some cases even increase its value.

An easy way to enhance both the general feel about a bathroom and its value is to replace fixtures that show signs of wear and tear and perform routine maintenance, such as recaulking a tub or shower. Today PuroClean Home Rescue gives readers a few bits of advice on how to add value to your bathroom and home simply by improving the look and feel of your bathroom.

Here is some incentive for making those improvements.

As per the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) toilet water supply line failures are second in line when it comes to frequency and cost of residential water losses and come in at an average of $5,762 per incident and that’s even after the deductible has been paid. Even though the owners of both new and old homes were both equally likely to experience a toilet related loss, according to the IBHS their risks are slightly different.

Newer homes were more likely to have a sudden toilet failure, such as one caused by a faulty supply line or fill valve. Older homes were more likely to experience a slow, seeping leak, such as from failed drain lines or faulty seals.

Here are some guidelines that every homeowner should adhere to in order to keep their bathroom in good condition:

To avoid leaking toilets:

- Every few months inspect the entire flushing mechanism.
- When the toilet float reaches the appropriate level it should shut the fill valve off.
- If you notice that the tank continually refills when the toilet is not in use it may be time to replace the flapper or fill valve assembly.
- Inspect the supply line every few months. This is probably the most important one.
- Ensure the connection to the valve is secure and that it works - replace if required.

To keep sinks in working order:

Inspect plumbing beneath sinks every six months:

- Ensure all connections are tight and there is no corrosion on any pipes.
- Inspect for kinks in pipes made of plastic and copper, which could eventually lead to pinhole leaks.
- Be aware of the location of the water shut-off valve and inspect it frequently to ensure the water supply can be shut off.
- Replace the valve if required.

Plumbing and Appliances:

Inspect plumbing supply lines and drain systems annually:

- Look for condensation around the pipes or an obvious leak and corrosion.
- Keep a constant look out for stains on walls or ceilings or a musty smell.
- Keep an eye on your water bill since a large and sudden increase could be indicative of a leak.
- Call a professional at the first signs of a backed up toilet, brown-colored water, or cracked or warped flooring.
- In colder climates insulate pipes in attics, basements and the exterior to avoid freezing. It’s also recommended to open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer air.

Shower stall safety:

- Inspect tile and grout every six months, paying attention to loose or cracked tiles and cracked or crumbling grout lines. Repair as needed.

- Test the shower pan annually by filling the shower with about one inch of water, block the drain and make a mark where the level is. After about 8 hours return and if the level has dropped below the line then you could have a leak.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

PuroClean specializes in water damage, fire damage, mold removal and odor control. PuroClean Home Rescue serves the entire Sacramento region and South Lake Tahoe. Our promise is to provide an unmatched service experience quickly, professionaly, ethically and with compassion, resulting in peace of mind for all concerned.

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