If you are a homeowner, then you may have invested a considerable amount in your home. Also, you must have invested an amount in keeping it protected and functional. Keeping your family members comfortable while caring for your home is the most significant responsibility that being a homeowner you will ever have. It is good to take care of your responsibilities. But, you should know that the foundation of your home is the most integral element that holds everything together, keeps everything properly functional, and in rhythm with each other. Your home’s foundation is the first element that needs your close attention. If your home’s stability and balance are in jeopardy, then no doubt your investment will also be in trouble.
So, how can you protect your investment and the foundation of your home? To get the answer to this question, you will need to know what exactly is damaging your home’s foundation. Water is the biggest culprit that often causes damage to your home’s foundation. Most significantly, in climates where flooding and heavy rain are expected.
Water Damage: How Affects Your Foundation?
Water can damage your home’s foundation in many ways, such as:-
- It can rot the wooden parts of your home.
- Flooding or heavy rain, or water leak can erode or shift the soil under the foundation of your home over time. It can further lead to cracking and shifting due to a lack of support for your home’s foundation.
- Moisture can expand the soil around your home’s foundation, putting pressure on it and further cracking it.
Water Damage: The Warning Signs
You should be on the lookout for the signs indicating damages to your home’s foundation due to moisture or flooding. The signs indicating water damage to your home’s foundation are:-
- If there is any outward or inward sagging or bending in walls.
- If cracks are appearing in the floors and walls of your basement.
- If you are experiencing any musty odor in your basement.
- The growth of mold or mildew in any part of your home.
- If your walls are discolored, wallpaper is peeling off, and carpeted floors are becoming spongy and moist.
Water Damage: How You Can Prevent it?
Some areas and climates are more vulnerable to water damages. Flooding due to heavy rain is widespread in such sites, ultimately causing more damage to your home’s foundation. However, you can take some steps to decrease the likelihood of their occurring in many ways:
- You and your family members should know the location of the stopcock. It is essential to shut it off if you want to prevent water damages. A severe rupture or leak can take only a few minutes to cause severe water damage to your home and can weaken its foundation.
- Check for water leaks proactively as even a minor leak, if left undetected can do massive damage if over time. Check around your home appliances like washing machines and dishwashers and underneath your sinks for the signs of water leaks.
- If you have a sump pump in your basement, check it to ensure it won’t flood. Ensure its proper maintenance and repair it if it finds any signs of damage.
- Blocked and clogged gutters contribute hugely and lead to instances of water damages. Clear debris and leaves around the drains. Clean the gutter properly if it appears sagging or water is running down your house’s side.
- Inspect inside and outside your roof for the signs of water leaks. If there are any stains or damp spots on plaster or your walls, it indicates water damage.
- Insulate your pipes to prevent them from freezing. You can use a smart thermostat to keep a check on the temperature if going down.
- The best way to prevent water damage is by installing water leak detecting devices.
Additionally, you should closely monitor your water bills coming every month. If there is any sudden spike in your water bills, then check your entire home for water leaks.
Water Damage: Its Effects
Water damage is the most dreadful thing for any homeowner. It is almost a nightmare for homeowners to have water damage at their home. It can bring massive devastation to your property, causing damage to thousands of dollars of property. It can damage wood furniture, household appliances, electronics, upholstery, and plumbing equipment. Moreover, it can lead to mold growth and various other health hazards. Moisture promotes the growth of mold and mildew, and other organisms that can cause allergies, respiratory problems and may aggravate other health issues in your home and your family members. To reduce the water damage effects, you should take immediate measures of water damage restoration. You can immediately call a water damage restoration company to deal with the situation.
Source: Does Water Damage Your Foundation
