Water damage doesn’t just affect the resale value of your home. The damage caused by water can actually make a home sale fall through entirely and can cost thousands in lengthy repairs due to mold.
If you’re looking to protect your investment and keep your family safe, nothing pays off as much as preventative measures. Having a plan to prevent any damage from water might keep you from having to perform water mitigation.
The time and money you spend on a proactive approach to water damage prevention in your home is an investment that pays off. You’ll be able to avoid most emergency services with a regular checklist.
Perform these tasks to keep your home safe:
1. Inspect the Perimeter for Water Damage
Too many people wait until they see water collecting in their homes to do something about issues. Water issues are often avoidable with regular inspections.
Before you look at the inside of your home, take a walk around the perimeter of the structure. Warning signs are plants and trees that are too close to your home. Their root structures can lead to leaks.
Also, inspect the foundation for cracks. These cracks can be an easy access point for water in your home.
2. Clean Gutters Mean Less Water Damage
Leaves, sticks, nests, bird droppings, and other contaminants can clog up your gutters and downspouts. In cold weather, ice may accumulate and stop your gutters as well.
Overflowing rainwater and runoff can wreak havoc on a home. You may have to replace your roof, siding, or shingles if your gutters aren’t functioning properly.
Make sure to inspect your gutters regularly.
3. Check Your Water Bill
Does your water bill seem abnormally high for no reason? You may have a leak deep inside your house that is doing damage.
Remember, water doesn’t just invade the structure of your home. Those hidden leaks could be helping mold grow in your house.
More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year, and many of them are allergic to mold. If you have an unknown leak in your home, it may be a breeding ground for mold, which can lead to serious consequences for your health.
4. Sump Pump Maintenance – Water Damage Prevention ***
Anyone who has ever had a sump pump fails knows that the entire experience can be incredibly stressful and damaging. In some instances, the water is simply too much for the pump to keep up.
In others, the pump is ancient and in bad repair. It doesn’t operate when needed.
Make sure you check your sump pump annually and perform any required maintenance to avoid bug headaches down the road.
5. Perform Repairs Immediately
If the sump pump isn’t working, or if you find cracks in the foundation, the time to fix the issue is now.
Too many homeowners put off those repairs and find major damage from water as a result. Whether you replace and repair shingles on the roof or repair those gutters, prevention means addressing problems as they occur.
When Problems Strike
If you are already suffering from water damage, it may be too late to start a prevention plan now. You need to mitigate the existing damage before you move into a maintenance program.
iDry Columbus can help. Our trained staff will fix your existing issues and help prevent them from occurring again.
Don’t wait. Contact us today.
Water Damage? Your Local Water Damage Restoration Contractor
Master Certified and built from concept to performance. iDry Columbus – Water Damage Cleanup is available 24 hours a day in response to any emergency water damage situation you find your home or business in.
Avoiding preferred relationships with insurance carriers and foregoing discounted rates and agreements in exchange for property damage claims allows us to serve only our clients. Every service we have the opportunity to provide is proudly backed and guaranteed for as long as you own your home or business.
Continually raising the bar in property damage restoration. Providing service for everything from water damage cleanup, flooded basement, water extraction, sewage cleanup, and mold removal.
Its Restoration Redefined. Guaranteed.
Sick Building Syndrome and Mold
The rise in indoor environmental health issues emerged due to new building codes in the 1970s that called for reduced energy and greater insulating factors when building built homes and businesses. As the structures became more airtight, it became more and more difficult for indoor air to exchange with outdoor air, and this increase the amount of overall indoor contaminants. Suddenly, “Sick Building Syndrome” became a thing and those with mold allergies suffered reactions every time they would enter.
How do you feel at home? Do you feel good? Can you breathe freely? No headaches?
Headache? Itchy eyes? Running Nose? No, it’s not likely to be just a case of the Monday morning blues. They’re one of the many symptoms that signal Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, contaminated HVAC supply lines, hidden leaks, untreated water damage, moldy ceiling panels and mold behind wallpaper, etc. are all common causes.
Sick Building Syndrome is hard to diagnose sometimes. You may need to call a qualified mold removal company such as ours. We hold the Advanced Microbial Certification (AMRT) from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and have years of experience in remediation projects in hospitals, retirement facilities, and residential properties. We’ll provide the tools and implement the practices for a successful remediation. You can be sure of that.
Minor Mold Problems and Mold Removal
Most homes and businesses in Columbus, and in the wider state of Ohio, will have a mold problem at some point or other. Most of the time the mold is harmless — if tackled soon enough.
Some good news. With a little education and precaution, you can solve minor mold problems yourself and not have to call a mold removal company.
Depending on the materials affected and the size of the area, you can find many publications that will guide you through a successful cleaning process. Like anything you read on the internet, research it again.
You can visit the EPA or check out the New York City Guidelines in mold remediation. Of course, we’re also happy to help and arrange a no-obligation onsite inspection.
Stay Safe and Hire a Certified Mold Removal Company
For peace of mind, you should hire a certified mold removal and remediation company, such as ourselves.
The fact that the media have sensationalized black mold has triggered an entire industry in mold removal. Unfortunately, the ethics of this new industry are also questionable. The mantra is “Mold is Gold,” and this has led to some rather unscrupulous practices.
Today, anyone who owns a shop vac and household chlorine bleach is advertising themselves as a qualified crawlspace mold removal company. This practice is leaving desperate property owners with homes and businesses that are in worse condition than they were before.
Some owners have even abandoned their property altogether after an unsuccessful removal job. Even worse than this, they must disclose the attempted mold removal. They often have major trouble finding a buyer for the property unless they offer large discounts.
Pro-tip: If you suspect you have a mold problem of any kind in your home or business, you should contact an experienced mold removal company in the region (water damage restoration companies, such as ourselves, often provide this service). Insist on seeing certifications, past projects, and positive online reviews from successful remediation projects.
Water damage and mold problems go hand in hand. If you don’t address moisture-related issues, they’ll lead to the discovery of microbial growth later. You can be certain of that.
Don’t take the risk, call us at 614-810-0000. We’re not like these unethical companies. We’re professionals. We can also come out at short notice.
Additional Resources for More Information
Browse these valuable resources to gain insights into water restoration techniques, equipment, and best practice. Expand your knowledge with these reputable external sources and make informed decisions about water restoration services.
- FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/ – The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides resources and guidance for dealing with water damage and flooding disasters.
- IICRC: https://www.iicrc.org/ – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification offers standards and certifications for water damage restoration and extraction professionals.
- EPA: https://www.epa.gov/mold – The Environmental Protection Agency’s Mold website offers advice on mold prevention, cleanup, and controlling moisture after water damage.
- American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/ – The American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness resources, including tips for handling water damage and flooding situations.
