Water Damage articles
|
|
From flood and storm water to a faulty household appliance,
unwanted water is one of the greatest threats to your
property. Puroclean has the experience, technology and
response you need to restore your property and get your
life back on track.
Specializing in advanced drying and dehumidification
techniques, Puroclean rapidly removes water and moisture
from carpets, floors and walls. We minimize the disruption,
so you can get back to your home or work. The result
can save property owners and insurance companies valuable
time and money.
Guaranteed
Immediate Emergency Response Any Time of Day or Night...
Toll
Free: 866-722-7876
|
Why
Plumbing Maintenance is Important |
- Homeowner’s insurance generally covers household
water damage if the damage is sudden and accidental,
such as damage caused by burst pipes. It does not
cover damage of the sort covered by flood insurance,
i.e., rising water from outside; or damage caused
over time by lack of maintenance.
- A water damage claim can be a red flag to insurers
as well as to future homebuyers, signaling a likelihood
of repeat water claims. It is better to maintain a
home for water issues than face the risks of increased
insurance costs and reduced home marketability.
|
Identifying
Water Problems |
- Look at your water bill. By comparing monthly usage
figures, you may get tipped off to a small leak before
it becomes a big problem. Major, unexplained fluctuations
in your water bill are often a sign of water leaks.
- Use a water pressure gauge to determine whether
your household water pressure is set too high. The
ideal household water pressure is 60-80 pounds per
square inch (psi), but many homes are set at 100 or
higher. Attach the gauge to an outdoor faucet and
turn the water on full to determine water pressure.
- Inspect pipes and fittings each year. Just as you
change the batteries in your smoke detector each year,
you should take a few minutes to inspect under sinks
and around washing machines, lavatories, ice makers
and water softeners.
|
Preventive
Maintenance |
- Know where your water shutoff valve is located and
be sure that the entire family knows how to shut off
household water supplies in the event of a sudden
pipe or hose break.
- Inspect your plumbing annually. Just as you change
the batteries in your household smoke detectors each
year, you should inspect your water pipes and fittings
annually. This is a simple check that takes minutes,
and could prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
|
|
- Inspect around your water heater, washer, dishwasher,
sinks, lavatories and refrigerator icemaker. If hoses
indicate wear, replace them. Consider replacing hoses
to major appliances such as your washer and dishwasher
every two to five years. Steel, so-called "no
burst" hoses have been shown to have a longer
lifespan than other models.
- When you go on vacation, turn off the water to your
washer while you’re out of town. Many homeowners have
returned from vacation to find their washer hoses
have burst, flooding their homes.
- Never leave the house with appliances, such as dishwashers,
washers or dyers, still operating.
|
- Repair window and door cracks with caulk and replace
old or dried-out caulk. This helps to prevent water
from seeping into the house from outside.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts regularly. This
helps prevent overflowing, which may damage your roof.
- Let faucets connected to vulnerable pipes drip during
extremely cold weather. This keeps the water moving
and helps to reduce the chance of freezing.
- If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, be sure to
run it while the shower is on. This helps to remove
steam from the room.
|
Water
Pressure |
- The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) calls for water
to be delivered to homes for domestic use at between
50 to 70 psi. Angle stops (valves) and supply lines
as well as appliances are designed to withstand up
to 80 pounds per square inch.
- Water pressure regulators take the water as it
is delivered by the water district, and regulate it
to between 50 and 70 psi. The pieces in the water
pressure regulator that reduce the water pressure
are made of rubber and metal. Over a period of time,
they can fail. When the water pressure regulator fails,
water pressure to the home is allowed to increase.
This puts a strain on valves, hoses and appliances
that they were not designed to withstand. Unchecked,
excessive water pressure may cause a rupture in the
supply lines or valves.
- A water pressure test gauge can inform the homeowner
if water pressure is excessive. Simply connect the
gauge to an outdoor faucet, and turn on the water
to determine the water pressure. Make sure the faucet
used is "regulated". Some outdoor faucets
are unregulated. If the pipe connected to the faucet
comes out of the wall, there is a fairly good chance
that faucet is regulated.
Generally speaking, replacing the water pressure regulator,
including parts and labor, should cost much less than
a homeowner’s standard $500 deductible. A working
water pressure regulator reduces the strain on plumbing
fixtures and increases their service life.
|
Main
Water Shut Off Valve |
|
Angle
Stops |
- Angle stops are valves located under your kitchen
and bathroom sinks, at your washing machine, at the
toilet, and refrigerator icemaker. There are angle
stops for both hot and cold water. Most angle stops
are of the gate variety and are made of materials
that may fail over time. Replacement of these valves
is recommended when they are showing signs of leaking
or they have "frozen" in the open position
- meaning they can’t be turned one way or the other.
- A plumbing professional may be able to change out
old angle stops with a new ball variety in a modest
size home for less than the homeowner’s standard $500
deductible.
- Angle stops need to be "exercised" regularly
to make sure they are not frozen in the open position.
Every month or two simply turn the angle stops off
and on a few times. This will keep them working as
they were designed. Never force a valve that is frozen
in position. Consult a plumbing professional as soon
as possible.
|
Water
Supply Lines |
- Water supply lines are connected from the angle
stop to the appliance they serve, such as a faucet,
toilet, washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator
icemaker. Many times these are thin rigid lines that
can easily break and cause extensive damage. Water
supply lines should be checked regularly for corrosion
and rust and changed every 5 to 7 years.
- Among the preferred lines are those that are stainless
steel braided over rubber with threaded couplings
on both ends for the sink and toilet lines. Don’t
forget the dishwasher and refrigerator icemaker supply
lines. They are often overlooked because they are
hidden. Replace plastic tubing with either soft copper
or steel braided supply lines.
|
Washing
Machine |
|
- The washing machine supply box shown is found in
most recently constructed homes. The box sits inside
the drywall and the angle stops are inside the box.
- The water to the washing machine should always be
turned off when the machine is not in use. The instruction
manuals for some washing machines call for the water
to be on only when the machine is in use. Leaving
the water on places the washing machine hoses and
valves under constant pressure. The life of the washing
machine hose can be prolonged if the water is turned
on only when the machine is in use.
- Washing machine hoses need to be checked regularly
and replaced periodically. Most failures occur at
the coupling. Either type should be used in accordance
with the washing machine manufacturer's recommendations.
Always change hoses when a new machine is purchased,
or you move to a new location. Regardless of the material
the hose is made of, it needs to be checked and changed
regularly. A broken washing machine supply line can
cause extensive damage if it is not discovered quickly
and the water turned off.
|
Cleaning
Up After a Leak |
- Turn off water to the house.
- Immediately call a professional water damage restoration
company like PuroClean Home
Rescue who will dispatch a team of experts right
away.
- Remove as much water as possible with mopping and
blotting.
- Remove all photos, art and small fixtures to a safe,
dry place.
- Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to
dry.
- Wipe wooden furniture dry. Prop up cushions for
even drying.
- Open drawers, cabinets and closets for faster drying.
- Put aluminum foil, saucers or wood blocks between
furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Remove rugs from on top of wet carpet to prevent
color saturation.
- Remove items that are not colorfast, such as books
and magazines, from wet flooring and carpet.
|
|
|
|