Water Damage Restoration

Foundation & Drainage

One of the first places to start when trying to prevent water damage is outside your home. Ensuring that rain and flood waters run away from your home instead of settling around the foundation is essential to prevent the weakening of it. Water will not only cause structural damage, but it will loosen the soil in the ground around the house and cause it to sink over time. Steps as simple as making sure soil at the base of the home is piled upward so that water drains away from the foundation rather than towards it can prevent costly problems later down the road.

Overloaded Gutters

During unusually rainy seasons, your gutters may not be able to cope with the amount of rainfall occurring. In such a case, water is not guided by the gutters away from the house towards drainage but instead often makes its way to the foundation of your home as it spills over the gutters. Ensuring your gutters are large enough to handle the seasonal rainfall can prevent costly repairs and damage to your home later on.

Clogged Gutters

It is also recommended to check your gutters every six months to make sure that they are clear of debris, especially if there are trees over your roof or near your home. A gutter clogged with leafs, sticks, or anything else that can prevent water from flowing will prevent your gutters from doing their job!

Roof Angle

Your roof should be at such an angle that water is not able to collect or sit standing for an extended period. Standing water on your roof will cause weak spots and will eventually leak into the home, which could lead to problems such as weakened roof supports and mould among other problems.

Air Flow

Ensure soffits and roof vents are not blocked and that air can flow freely. This will reduce the buildup of moisture (which can lead to problems such as mould).

Roof Condition

A leaky roof can allow moisture to build up in your attic leading to many problems including mould. Replace missing, curling, cupping, broken, or cracked shingles and, if necessary, replace the roof if the problem is not limited to a small section.

The Dishwasher

Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of any leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.

The Refrigerator

If your refrigerator has an icemaker, it is important to check the water supply line connections and make sure that they are not loose. A wet spot on the floor may be a sign that a crimped icemaker line is about to burst.

The Sink

Replace deteriorated caulking around sinks, and check the plumbing under the sink for leaks. If your sink is slow to drain, it may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.

Showers & Bathtubs

Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and groat. A broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak water through these damage sealants, causing weak areas around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drain pipes and shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage.

Toilets

A toilet that tends to overflow from clogs needs to be replaced. Some chlorine tablet cleaners may also corrode internal plastic or rubber parts causing the toilet to leak eventually.

Water Heater

Water heaters typically last no longer than 15 years; some can fail as early as eight years or less. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a leak. Water heaters are installed on the lowest level of the home with a floor drain very close.

Sump Pump

In the event of a power failure, a sump pump cannot do its job. A sump pump with battery backup can save potential disaster in the case of a power failure (which is often accompanied by heavy rain!). Sump pumps are not intended to last more than ten years and must be serviced or replaced before this period.

Washing Machine

Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, kinking, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To prevent kinks, leave 4 inches or 11 centimeters between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.