1. Regularly Inspect Your Appliances

Any appliance or pipe that’s connected to a water supply line has a chance of leaking or bursting. Since all appliances have a limited lifespan, it’s important to regularly check your fridges, dishwashers, water heaters, ac units, showers, and other related fixtures for signs of failure.

Other than a puddle of water on the floor, here are some other signs that your appliances might be on the fritz:

• Sounds of water running even though nothing is turned on
• Unpleasant odors coming from floors, walls, or drains
• Reduced water pressure
• Mold growing around the appliance

Because many appliances rely on hoses, worn out hoses are a common culprit behind water damage problems. Replace any brittle, rusty, leaking, or damaged hoses as soon as you notice them.

Hoses are relatively cheap, so this is an easy, proactive repair solution that won’t break the bank. You should use the highest quality hose replacements to increase the lifespan of your appliances.

2. Don’t Ignore Leaks

Water doesn’t like to sit in one place. It likes to travel, especially through porous materials like drywall, carpeting, and underneath floorboards.

If a leak is left untreated it can lead to mold growth, staining, and damage to walls and flooring. The faster you address a leak, the less damage there will be and the more likely it will be that your insurance company will accept your water damage claim.

3. Watch Your Water Bill

Many pipes are hidden in walls and underneath sub flooring, making it hard to know if there’s a leak or not. If you get an unusually high water bill in the mail, you might have a leaking or malfunctioning appliance in your house.

4. Consider Purchasing a Water Detection Device

A water detection alarm is a device that’s designed to go off when it’s sensor comes into contact with water. Some of them even come with an auto-shutoff function, that will automatically turn the water supply off if it detects a large amount of water has escaped. Install them near pipes or appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, or fridges. These devices can help prevent little leaks from becoming big water damage emergency.

5. Know Where Your Water Main Valve Is & Turn It Off Before Leaving Town

That’s an easy one, right?

6. Winter Is Coming. Are You Prepared?

Every winter there’s a chance of your pipes freezing, regardless if you live in a colder or warmer region. When pipes freeze, the water inside them turns into ice and expands. As the ice expands, it creates pressure which causes the pipe to burst. The pipes most susceptible to freezing are in the low insulated areas of your home, such as the attic or crawlspace. Check this area of the home out and see if you’re pipes are vulnerable.

If you need to add insulation, make sure to follow all directions and wear the necessary protective equipment, especially when dealing with fiberglass insulation. If you have exposed pipes, consider installing insulation products, such as a “pipe sleeve” or “heat tape”.

7. Roof Maintenance

The roof is your main line of defense against the elements, so it’s important to maintain it. Get up on the roof every 6 months, and especially after a storm, to check for vulnerabilities or damages.

Here’s what to look for: broken shingles, built up debris from trees, cracked flashing or roof vents. Roof repair is not a DIY job, especially if the surface is wet or slick.

8. Do Your Chores & Clean Out the Gutters.

Nobody wants to get up and clean the gunk out of the gutters. We get it. But it’s an important chore, especially if you want to prevent water damage problems.