Water is a life source for many things but not your home. It’s important to take precautionary measures to make sure water doesn’t invade your home.  Most of the time water intrusion occurs from outside of the home; so you need to make sure the exterior surfaces of the house were made well and are up to date.

Common places for water to enter your home are doors and windows, the roof, exterior walls and the foundation.  Look for places where the water may be leaking from and check for any discoloration of caulk or paint.  Also, water makes wood and the materials around it swell up causing more damage.  Plumbing issues can also cause water damage.  Watch for dripping or leaking faucets and condensation on pipes.

Taking care of your home with regular maintenance can help prevent water damage.  Check your home for cracks and holes and make sure it has been properly insulated.  Any vents to your home need to have a hood on them.  Have the humidity level in your home in between 30% and 50% and that should keep condensation and wet stains on ceilings and walls from occurring.

If water is leaking or invading your home do your best to get the situation taken care within 48 hours.  Even if it’s not a lot of water if it gets your drywall wet it needs to be replaced.  Moisture on drywall can grow mold; and mold can be a hazard to your health.  It’s important to keep water under control in any area of your home, promptly take care of it before it gets worse.  If mold does start to grow it can spread which may bring on medical bills.  Prevent water intrusion, clean up the mess and save money.