Preventing Potential Water Problems

In our Idaho Falls homes, we are lucky to have easy access to some of the safest treated water in the world. And we use a lot of it!  Estimates vary, but each person uses about 80 – 100 gallons per day. The largest household use of water is to flush the toilet, followed by showers and baths. We wake up in the morning, take a shower, brush our teeth, grab a cup of coffee and head out for the day.

With so much water around us, water damage prevention is absolutely essential. We at Restore Rite recommend that you plan, prepare and prevent leaks that can cause thousands of dollars in property loss.

Assume all Appliances Will Fail

(Because they will!) Install a catch basin under appliances like water heaters and washing machines. Inspect regularly for signs of age such as rust, cracking, and water stains. Verify all water connections are tight and dry.

Consider installing a whole-house leak detection system. This device will not only sense problems, but it will also shut off the water automatically to help prevent significant damage to your home and personal property.

Locate Shut-Off Valve

Locate your main water shut off valve, usually in the basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of the home. By turning off this valve, you are cutting off the water supply to the entire house in case of a problem. Also learn how to turn off fixtures with valves, such as toilets and faucets. If you plan to be away for an extended period of time, consider closing your home’s water main at the street for more safety

Use Steel Appliance Hoses

Replace old and worn rubber hoses with flexible steel-braided hoses on your appliances: toilets, faucets, ice maker, washing machine, dishwasher. Rubber hoses only last two to five years, while steel hoses will likely last the life of the appliance. If a rubber hose bursts while you’re at work, you can incur thousands of dollars of damage in just a few hours time.

Clean and Repair Gutters

To ensure that rain water is diverted away from your home, clean  and repair the gutters as needed. If the water flow is blocked by debris, it will start to overflow and can make its way into the walls and through the ceiling. It’s an incredibly easy water damage prevention step that takes just a few hours, but can save you thousands of dollars.

Check the Sump Pump

The sump pump removes the water from your basement in case of a flood. When triggered, the sump pump starts working automatically to draw water out of your home and into the street drain system. Upgrade to standalone battery (in case there is a power outage). Consider installing a sewer backup prevention valve on the main line of your home.

Water Damage Cleanup Pocatello

If a pipe does burst in or outside your home, call Restore Rite, available 24 hours a day to clean up minor or major water disasters in and around Pocatello Idaho. Whether your water damage came in the windows, a broken pipe, or a hole in the roof, you will need certified professionals who can offer experienced help.

When a client calls with a water damage emergency, the team responds immediately. Experts assess the amount of damage and then create a plan of action to restore the property as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us for more information on preventing or cleaning up winter water damage in Pocatello, Idaho.