Avoiding Water Damage in Your New Home

If you are a new homeowner, the last thing that you want to worry about is any damage to your new home. This is especially true if you have young children and/or pets in the home. Water damage is one of the most common culprits that demands certain preventative measures. To help keep your new home looking beautiful, we have some tips for preventing water damage to your new home.

Keep Things in Good Shape Outside

Water damage can start from both inside and outside a new home, so it important that you pay attention to water sources and areas where water could collect both in and outdoors.

To fend off outside water damage, make sure that:

• Water is draining off of your property – if the land is slanted at an angle that directs water towards your home, you’re at risk of flooding. Over time, ground angles and levels can change, so assess this regularly.

• Watch for sinking. Not only should you look out for slanting, but for sinking too. If you have any areas of sinking sidewalk or land around your home, make sure it is repaired immediately so that water doesn’t flow towards your home.

• Check your gutters. Rain gutters help to clear water from your roof, which prevents from leaks and water damage. But if gutters get clogged or are damaged, water can back up, and with nowhere to go, it may start leaking into your home. You should clean your gutters annually.

Be Smart Indoors, Too

While water damage in new homes can stem from outdoor problems, there can be issues indoors that lead to water damage, too. Some things to keep in mind inside your home include:

• Don’t leave your appliances running when you’re not home. If you have appliances that use a lot of water, like a dishwasher or washing machine, don’t leave it running when you’re not at home. If something is to go wrong, you want to make sure that someone is home to fix it immediately – otherwise, you could come home to a mess.

• Be smart about what you put down the drain. While pipes and drainage systems in new homes will last for years to come, you still need to be careful about what you put down there. Things like oil and grease can clog drains, which can then lead to water backups that result in flooding and tons of damage.

• Don’t be too shy to call a plumber if something seems amiss. While calling a plumber may sound like an unnecessary expense to you, if you notice water damage (bubbling in ceiling, for example), hear strange sounds from your pipes, or smell sewage, you need to contact a plumber immediately – doing so could save you hundreds down the line.

• Be attentive to where children are and what they’re up to. It doesn’t take long for disaster to strike. For instance, leaving a child unattended in the bath tub for even 5 minutes can lead to extensive water damage in adjacent rooms and flooring, if the child splashes around too much or pours water out of the tub using a cup. Remember time is of the essence when there’s a water spill. We recommend having a shop vac readily available in case of emergencies.

Is a brand new home calling your name? If so, don’t wait any longer! At Simplicity, we have the new home solutions you’re looking for that are not only affordable, but allow you to design your own home. Learn more by contacting us today. We can help you with our attractive plans in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and throughout the Pacific Northwest.