Sometimes, a pipe will burst unexpectedly or unusually heavy rainfall will bring on a flood. Sadly, it’s not always possible to predict and prevent these types of situations all the time. In these cases, you would need to engage professional flood and restoration cleaning services in Adelaide to get your home back to normal as soon as possible.
However, there are certain steps that you can take to try and prevent water damage from occurring in your home. While this doesn’t mean that you will never require water damage restoration services in Adelaide, there is no harm giving these handy tips a try.
Clear blocked gutters and drains
Blocked gutters or downpipes are prone to overflowing during heavy rains. This can cause water to flow into your eaves and directly into your home. Similarly, blocked drains mean that that floodwater has nowhere to go during a downpour, resulting in water damage to your house instead. Check your gutters and drains regularly and have any clogs, cluttered leaves or twigs, or blockages removed as soon as possible.
Prevent frozen pipes in winter
If you live in a cold area, your pipes could be in danger of freezing at very low temperatures. When water in your pipes freeze, your pipes will expand and run the risk of bursting, possibly causing major water damage to your home. You can prevent this from happening by ensuring that your pipes are insulated where possible, and employing the use of products like pipe sleeves or heat tape. You can also keep the faucet dripping so that water in the pipes will flow instead of freeze.
Check your hoses and pipes
Make it a habit to regularly inspect every hose and pipe you have access to in your home. This includes the hoses that come attached to appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators as well. Conducting regular checks on hoses and pipes will allow you to spot any signs of wear and tear before they actually burst or give way. That way, you can make any necessary replacements well ahead of time and prevent water damage from occurring.
Keep an eye on your water bill
Be observant when it comes to any changes in your water bill. If your water bill is inexplicably high all of a sudden, it may mean that you have a leak somewhere in your house. This is particularly helpful when it comes to detecting leaks from pipes you cannot easily access for inspection – such as piping that runs within a wall. So, if your water bill makes you suspect that you have a leak in your house, you can call a professional to come in and check it out for you.
Know where your shut-off valve is
Let’s say a pipe in your burst suddenly bursts. What do you do? Your first course of action should be to shut off your water supply as soon as possible. Therefore, it is important that you know where your shut-off valve is, thus allowing you to act quickly and minimise the amount of water damage inflicted. The shut-off valve is usually located in your water metre box, but make sure to be aware of its location all the same. The last thing you want to be doing in the middle of a sudden plumbing emergency is scrambling about looking for the shut-off valve.
With three decades’ worth of experience, O’Shea’s is your top choice for reliable flood and restoration cleaning in Adelaide. Our team is ready to assist you 24/7 with emergency water damage restoration services, so that you can get your property back in order as soon as possible. Contact us with any enquiries today!
