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20 Tips to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home

Flooding in the home is all too common, and water damage can be a pricey fix. Natural disasters such as flash floods and heavy thunderstorms can cause floods or manmade accidents like plumbing issues, damaged appliances, and pipes bursting may be the cause.

Water Damage Can Occur Due To:

  • A water heater
  •  A broken line under your sink
  • A clog in a toilet
  • A split hose connected to an appliance

Much damage results from easily fixed flaws that most people can fix well in advance. Left unchecked, water damage can cause structural damage to your house, causing foundation problems and other issues. Damp wood can attract termites and ants, or cause mold and mildew. Leaking pipes can cause mold or mildew to develop and damage floors, walls, and other pieces of the room. It is important you address water damage as soon as possible, which can alleviate health hazards caused by water damage. Water damage is the second-highest home insurance claim that costs about $10,000 to fix. So how do you prevent water damage? 

Preventing leaks before they start is the best way to prevent water damage. Here are 20 tips you can follow to lessen the likelihood of water damage in your home.

1. Inspect Sinks and Drains

Try to keep your sinks and drains in excellent condition by avoiding getting rid of cooking grease by pouring it down the drain. Flushing it with hot or cold water does not matter and grease can coagulate and cling to pipes. This causes severe damage or blocks the water flow.


Be careful using chemical drain cleaners. Although they are convenient, they can eat away at your pipes and set them up for leaks. Consider purchasing a drain snake, the perfect solution for clearing away clogs. You can make a difference:

  • Regularly clean drains
  • Clean out the strainer and put debris in the trash, not in the drain or toilet
  • Make sure your tub's overflow drain is working and not leaking
  • Check on drain taps regularly, found in sink cabinets.

2. Check Your Appliances Regularly

Check your appliances often for leaks according to the manufacturer's instruction manual. They do not cover damages because of a lack of maintenance in most of the homeowner's insurance policies. Upgrade your hoses, such as washing machine hoses, and replace regularly to avoid the most reported cause of water loss and damage.


Inspect Fridge, Water Heater, AC Unit, and Attic

  •  Refrigerator — Does it have an ice maker or water dispenser? Double-check the water line hose in between your refrigerator and the wall. Make sure there are no leaks.
  • Water Heater — Inspect your water heater once annually and stay up to date with it. Notice any slow leaks, water pooling, or any rust or corroded areas. Consider upgrading to a water heater without a tank or on-demand water heater so you can cut costs on your electric bill.
  • AC Unit — Properly maintain your AC unit for signs of leaks or water damage, especially if it's working overtime in the scorching summer months.
  • Attic — This is a prime environment for mold growth and humidity. Water saturates woods and prepares conditions for mold to grow and spread, which is not only a home hazard but a health hazard.

3. Shut Off Your Water Main While Away

Shut off your water main if you leave the house for an extended period, such as going on vacation. During a trip, homes may be left empty for days and weeks. Even a small leak could cause colossal damage by the time someone notices or comes back. Turning off your water main while away can help prevent accidents from any unattended water flow.

4. Know Where Your Water Shut-off Valves Are

In case of a flood emergency, know where your water shut-off valves are located.


This includes:

  1. The whole-house water shutoff
  2. Hot water shutoff on your water heater
  3. Inline shutoff valves to toilets and sinks
  4. Valves leading to dishwasher and clothes washer

Use the shut-off valves any time you are experiencing a flood in your house. Test all these valves yearly to ensure they are working properly.

5. Install Leak Detectors

Leak detectors are electronic devices that detect water or flooding and set off an alarm when triggered. They come in all shapes and sizes and have various ranges of features. Some have:

  •  Wi-Fi capabilities
  • Smart home integration
  •  Phone alerts
  •  Temperature sensors

They come in two categories: Spot detectors and area detectors. Spot detectors require moisture or contact with water to set off the alarm. The area detectors use sensor wires to spot floods and cover a more extensive area.


There are active and passive flood alarms. Integrated into the water system, active alarms can shut off the water supply. Place passive alarm next to the high-risk potential flooding areas. They go off when the sensors get wet. The downside to passive alarms is that it requires a manual shut off of the water system. Make sure you check batteries often!


Basic leak devices are very affordable, ranging from $10 to $30 each. All they need is a 9V battery and you're set!

Install Leak Detectors in Places Like:

  • Basement and attic
  • Near the AC Unit
  • Laundry room
  • Water heater closet
  • Washing machines
  • Bathroom for the tub and toilet
  • Under kitchen sink or near dishwasher and refrigerator
  • Near any water pipes
  • Any other area of house susceptible to water damage

Leak Detectors Can:

  • Monitor for the presence of water
  • Track ambient temperatures
  • Detect moisture in the air that could cause mold
  • Turn off your water supply in case of an emergency

Early detection with the help of water sensors can reduce the damage done to the home.

Some Things You Should Consider When Shopping for a Leak Detector:

  • Temperature monitoring
  • Integrations like mobile app and alerts
  • Size and reach
  • Built-in siren
  • Onboard sensors
  • The power source
  • Automatic water shut-off feature

6. Install a Water Flow Monitoring System

These measure the flow of water into your house, directly attached to the water main. During special circumstances, where the monitoring system detects water flow that isn't consistent with every appliance use, it can stop the flow of water automatically. It installs next to your primary water line and doesn't require pipe cutting. It can use ultrasonic technology to identify leaks earlier and prevent severe water damage. A good water flow monitoring system can improve water efficiency and keep costs to a minimum.


Most systems provide real-time water data via a computer or smartphone. It can help tremendously with water notifications, benchmarking efforts, and water use for best practices.

7. Check Water Pressure with a Pressure Gauge

A water pressure gauge is a mechanical instrument designed to measure water pressure in a variety of forms and has been around for over a hundred years. Made of up of a dial indicator, a piece of pipe or hose, and a threaded nut to fix to a tap, a pressure gauge is something you'll want to invest in for your home.


A water pressure gauge is a wise investment, considering one of the most common issues with plumbing is over-pressured pipes. Water pressure is a measure of a force that pushes water through the water system. Without pressure gauges, fluid power systems are unpredictable. The gauges ensure there are no leaks or pressure changes.

Digital Pressure Gauges Allow Measurement of:

  1. Pressure
  2.  Torque
  3. Load
  4. Force
  5. Hardness

You Can Measure Pressure in Three Ways: Absolute, Gauge, and Vacuum:

Absolute pressure is the measure of pressure including ambient air, such as compression ratio calculation. They make gauges measuring higher pressure of steel while they make lower pressure gauges of bronze.


Increase in water pressure that is too high can cause pipes and hoses to burst. Buy a water pressure gauge and attach it to the outside of a faucet and it will give you a reading of the pressure. They make typical water systems to withstand 40–70 psi. If your water pressure surpasses 100 psi, install a pressure regulator. Call the plumber if you spot levels under 30 psi or over 80 psi.


You can measure static water pressure and identify leaks in plumbing or gardening systems. Having too much water pressure can be hard on lines and fixtures or cause problems with flex lines and hoses. If your pressure is too low, call your water supplier or utility and ask about someone coming out to look at the problem. They can adjust the pressure reducing valve (PRV) and fix the pressure.

8. Buy or Replace a Pressure Release Valve

Also called "water pressure reducing valves," this valve can help with any increase in pressure caused by temperature decrease in freezing pipes and help prevent them from bursting. It can control or limit the pressure in the water system. It brings the pressure down to a safe level before the water reaches any plumbing in the home.


A valve costs about $20 and calling in expert help might be around $200. This ensures proper diagnosis and installation. Protected by a water pressure reducing valve, the water system has less stress on inner valves, faucets, and appliances. You can purchase a pressure release valve at a hardware store. After installation, test the water pressure and adjust the regulator. Replace a failing valve immediately.


Water heater release valves can drain water to reduce inner tank pressure. If water inside gets too hot or pressure reaches an unsafe level, the water heater triggers to the valve to open. Checking the valve on your water heater can help prevent burst pipes. The valves remove excess pressure by opening up and minimizing pressure.

Valves Can:

  • Be composed of metallic like iron or brass
  • Range from 10 to 70 or 0 to 50 pounds (ca. 23 kg) per inch
  • Withstand temperature up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 149 °C).
  • Come in various sizes, lengths, and widths to accommodate.

9. Fix the Caulking Around Your Home

You can reduce or eliminate leaks around your windows and doors by purchasing a tube or a few and doing the job yourself. If you notice a crack, caulk it! Telltale signs of water leakage may be mold spots, bubbled paint, crumbly drywall or plaster, or termite activity.


With blowing winds and strong rains, water can easily get into your home. Seepage can damage window frames and the surrounding drywall. Apply caulk to both sides of the window and use weather stripping to seal up spots that won't close tightly. Consider installing storm windows for additional layers of protection. Sealing your windows and doors will prevent water from coming in and increase the electrical efficiency of your home.

10. Monitor Your Water Bill

Check your water bill regularly and get an estimate of the average amount of water used per month. If your usage jumps tremendously from one month to the next, without obvious explanation, you may have a mystery water leak. An unusually high water bill may be due to:


  • A leaking toilet
  • A dripping faucet
  • Filling a swimming pool
  • Watering the lawn
  • People being home for summer breaks
  • Water-cooled AC Units
  • Broken pipe or leak or leaking water heater
  • Water cycling continuously
  • Running water to prevent freezing of pipes

11. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Clean your gutters once every few months to avoid blockage. Standing water can cause damage to your gutters and roof or puddles that could damage your foundation. A clogged gutter can send water down the side of your house. It costs around $50-$250 to clean gutters. In winter, clear out ice dams as soon as they appear.

12. Install Gutter Guards

Install gutter guards, or attachments used to protect the clogging of your gutters so that water can flow away from your home and not pool up around your foundation. Gutters can get clogged easily because of dead leaves, nests, and branches. If gutters are regularly clogging with leaves and debris, then install the guards. They will prevent gutters from clogging up and prevent you from having to clean them constantly. If your gutters are too high, hire a professional to check and clean them.

13. Clean Downspouts and Decline Your Soil

Clean the downspouts so that water can get through. Direct downspouts 5-10 feet (ca. 3 m) away from the house. Slope your yard away from the foundation. Slope keeps water from getting down next to your foundation, and when left unchecked could cause cracks, wall leaning, and create leaks. Water should flow away from your home toward the street, backyard, or back alley.

14. Maintain Trees and Shrubs

Try to minimize landscaping near pipes or remove trees or bushes that have grown too big. Do not let your soil get too dry in drought, as your house can dry and shrink. Run a soaker hose half a foot away from the foundation and 3 inches (ca. 8 cm) beneath the soil to keep it from contracting and expanding. Trees with invasive root systems could grow into your sprinkler system, drainage field, or pipes. Plant trees at least 20 feet (ca. 6 m) away from your home.

15. Decline Your Soil

Move the soil around your house with a shovel and rake to decline it. You want your soil to ramp down away from the foundation wall. Pack the soil so that you encourage water to move along the top instead of soaking into it. Create a downward slope away from your home and this will encourage water to flow away instead of soaking your foundation.

16. Monitor Your Sump Pump

This pump is usually in the basement. It represents your home's last line of defense during raising groundwater or flooding on the inside. When the water rises in this pit, the buoyant float sets off the connected motor, telling it to pump water out of the home. It removes water from where it shouldn't be to a better area.


  • Test more often during the thunderstorm season.
  • Check at least once a year and several times during heavy storm seasons.


To Test Your Sump Pump:


  • Make sure you connect the pump to the electrical outlet (GFCI)
  • Make sure the pump turns on
  • Ensure the circuit breaker is flipped on
  • Ensure your pump is upright and not tilted
  • Check that the sump pump is pouring water into the sump pit
  • Slowly fill the sump pump with water and make sure the water level falls
  • Unplug the main pump and test the backup pump
  • Testing is free and the pump costs anywhere from $150 to $350. Putting it off could result in your basement flooding.

17. Fix Water Leaks

Repair any obvious dripping pipes. Check for dark spots around pipes and on the ceiling. Repair any cracked caulking. Also inspect the roof for missing, loose, or damaged shingles. Look for moss that can work under shingles and damage from fallen limbs.


Check for proper drainage. Insufficient drainage weakens your foundation and can cause cracks, uneven settling, and ways for water to enter your home.

18. Repair Your Chimney!

Inspect and repair your chimney. Loose mortar or cracked bricked may cause issues. Look for signs of leakage around the chimney. Rain can come through uncapped chimneys, especially from the sides. It can cause major water damage in the attic, walls, and floors.


To prevent damage you can:


  • Install a chimney cap
  • Inspect the metal flashing around the chimney
  • Have chimney mortar sealed
  • Repair cracks in brick or mortar

19. Replace Copper Pipes

Replacing your pipes will ensure that no pinhole leaks damage your home. Exchange copper pipes for corrosion-free ones. Change out corroded or solid copper pipes with the replacing PEX pipes. The copper pipe joints can fail. It can cause corrosion that leads to holes, resulting in silent but steady leaks of water. Drips such as this can lead to damage to ceilings and on the inside of the walls.

20. Install Floor and Drain Pans

Consider implementing floor plans under your appliances. They can help prevent damage from small or subtle undetected leaks in your home. You may need to install a drain or create a sloped surface to help water move to the right area to drain.


Preventative Measures to Reduce the Risk of Water Damage


So no matter what the cause of water damage, you can follow all these suggestions to help reduce the risk of bursting pipes, water damage, and flooding in your home. Taking preventative measures can help you avoid or lessen the chances of this destructive damage from happening, which will not only make you happy but your homeowner's insurance company as well!

Here at Bioclean

We offer a free inspection service and test air quality and provide solutions for your home. We also repair foundations, repair water damages, and offer other home services. Call us at 203-283-3912.


Contact us for questions about our services so that we can help you get the results you want.

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