Summer Water Damage Prevention

6/18/2020 (Permalink)

Avoiding water issues!

There is potential for water damage in your home throughout the year, but certain times are more likely than others to present specific challenges. Summer, for example, has its own unique circumstances that may trigger water damage, most of which are related to outdoor weather. While you can’t do anything to control the weather, you may be able to take steps to prevent or reduce the ultimate outcome of weather-related water damage. Here are some typical sources of summer water damage and what can be done to best avoid it.

Air Conditioner Issues

Keeping you cool on a hot summer day, a central A/C unit extracts gallons of water vapor from the air. If everything works right, it’s collected in the condensate drip pan, then conveyed down the drain line. If the drip pan or drain line is clogged, the pan overflows every time the system cycles on, potentially inflicting substantial water damage before it’s noticed. While the unit’s running, use a flashlight to inspect the drip pan under the air handler. It’s normal for it to be wet. However, if you see standing water, contact an HVAC service technician to troubleshoot the drain system.

Protect your home from water damage while you're out of town this summer.

June 20th marks the official first day of summer.  The most common cause of home water damage in the months of summer is when families leave on vacation.  They leave their homes empty for days, weeks and sometimes even months.  If there is any kind of leak, even a small one, it'll be left unchecked and can cause a substantial amount of damage by the time someone ever notices.  This could be devastating. 

Follow these actionable tips to ensure the safety of your home. 

• Turn off the main water 
• Drain your pipes 
• Turn off water heater
• Have a friend check your home 

Severe Storms

Heat-triggered thunderstorms can dump several inches of rainfall in a short time on a hot, humid summer day. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Gutter overflows. Water spilling out of clogged gutters penetrates exterior walls as well as undermines the foundation and seeps into the basement. Inspect gutters and downspouts and keep them clear of debris. Make sure downspouts are long enough to discharge water at least three feet from the house.
• Roof leakage. Saturated attic insulation and water dripping down through ceilings into living spaces during a summer storm is an untimely way to find out that your roof leaks. Experts recommend a professional roof inspection every three years for asphalt and wood-shingle roofs. You can do some DIY checking yourself by climbing into the attic and looking for signs of leakage such as dark streaks on the underside of sub-roofing.