Water damage accounts for over a billion dollars in paid insurance claims every year. The high costs and repairs come from permanent damage, ruined furniture, and fried electronics, not to mention the added loss of priceless photos and other family treasures. While having insurance coverage is important, prevention is often the best option. Water infiltrates the home through a variety of means, each with different methods of prevention that need to be noted and addressed. Here are a few ways you can prevent water damage in your Mississauga home.
The Roof
Your roof’s one and only job is to protect the house from the elements. Unfortunately, the elements will often wear away at the roof over time. Heavy rain, winds, snow, and hail will all chip away at your roof’s integrity and create leaks or outright collapses. To maintain your roof, you should repair or replace the shingles or roof tiles every 15 to 20 years, possibly earlier depending on their condition. During the winter, try to keep the roof clear of snow and ice as the buildup (and melting) can cause damage.
Another risk of water damage can come from the eavestroughs that run along the side of your roof. These channel rainwater away from your property through the downspout and keep things dry and protected. Unfortunately, they can also become clogged. Regular maintenance and cleaning will prevent eavestrough overflow.
The Internals
Sinks, tubs, toilets, and other similar appliances fill the inside of your home, and each can potentially leak or cause a flood. At the most basic level, keeping the drains cleared of clogs will be a big help in preventing floods, backups, or leaks.
- Toilets: Only flush toilet paper and (in cases of large bowel movements) consider flushing before wiping to break up the load on the pipes.
- Showers and bathtubs: Check the drains periodically and keep them clear of hair or other potential clogs.
- Sinks: Check for clogs regularly as well, and you should never leave a faucet running when you leave the room. Even if you think you’re just stepping out for a second, it’s too easy to forget.
In case of leaks, you should know where the shutoff valve is for your appliances. If you don’t have one, consider getting a valve installed to allow for quick action.
Windows and Doors
Water can easily infiltrate your property through improperly sealed windows and doors. Moisture can slip through cracks and damage the walls, leading to mould growth. Weather sealants should be placed on all exterior windows and doors and should be checked periodically for damage, especially in advance of and after any large storms. For basement windows, you should also consider the addition of window wells to better manage any water that tries to slip through.
Flood Services Canada is a leader in flood remediation along with mould, sewage backup cleanup, and fire and smoke damage cleanup. Our rapid response teams can quickly get to work to prevent as well as mitigate flood and leak damage and aid in the restoration process. Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about how to protect your property, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get one of our rapid-response teams deployed to your area.
