General Tips

Water damage usually occurs when there are leaks hidden from the homeowner. To know if the home has a leak, turn off all faucets and appliances that use water. Also avoid flushing toilets for one hour. Check to see if the flow indicator of the water meter is spinning. If it is spinning and the meter reading changes even with all appliances and faucets turned off, then you have a water leak in your home. To find this leak, you must check thoroughly every room in the house. Water leaks can happen anywhere in the house where the water supply lines passes through. However, they occur most often inside kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. You should first check in these rooms for leaks.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, check for water damage by regularly checking under the dishwasher to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is tightly secured and is not leaking. Asses the condition of the area surrounding the base of the dishwasher, discolorations or softening of flooring materials mean that a water leak has taken place.

Refrigerators can also be a source of water leaks that may result to the surrounding areas to be affected by water damage. If the refrigerator is using a water supply line that is connected to a built-in icemaker, then check to see if the hose is also connected tightly.

Most water damage in the kitchen occurs near or at the bottom of the sink area. This is due to water seeping in the edges of the sink and entering the bottom cabinets of the area. If not fixed immediately, the wooden foundation of the sink area may collapse due to rotting caused by water. Re-caulking around the edges of the sink will make the area water tight.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, check to see if pipe joints are secured and water is not leaking from them. Applying wrapping the pipe threads with Teflon tape will make the joints water tight and leak free. Also check for the presence of molds in the bathroom. Mold growth will indicate that there is a continuous supply of moisture.

For toilets, avoid throwing tissue papers in the toilets. Throw them in a trash bin located inside the bathroom instead. Too much toilet paper may cause clogging which can lead to toilet water overflow. You would not want this to happen.

Laundry, Utility Rooms and the Basement

Check to see if all appliances that use water such as a washing machine or a water heater have water supply lines connected tightly and is not leaking. Replace hoses that indicate brittleness or that are already worn out.

If the basement has a sump pump system installed, make sure that it is regularly checked and maintained.

Checking for leaks and regular maintenance of water pipes may be time consuming but it is worth it since it ensures that the home is protected against water damage.