Water has a tremendous amount of energy – both constructive and destructive. Water created the Grand Canyon – carving out majestic waterways; it sustains life, it provides countless hours of enjoyment to almost everyone. But, on the other hand, it can be very devastating. The effect that water can have on society both in monetary losses and the loss of life is without an equal.
What we are going to discuss in this article is the negative aspects of water in your home. Water in the home when it’s found not in the right place can cause a great deal of problems. Damage from water can originate from air conditioning condensate lines that are backed up or improperly installed. It can be the result of aging or faulty piping and old hot water heaters or any other appliances that have water associated with them. Water in the form of moisture can also do devastating damage, creating conditions that are prime for micro-organisms to grow, leaving your home a fussy mess. A damaged roof can make it seem like its raining more inside your house then it is outside.
So, how do you minimize problems associated with damage resulting from water?
There’s no sure fire way to prevent every problem, but there are ways to stack the deck in your favor. Preventative maintenance on your air conditioning will help reduce the chance that your condensate will back up and that the system will function properly for dehumidification during your absence. Have those systems checked at the very minimum of once per year, it’s more advisable to do this twice per year. Having your hot water checked by a state-certified plumber every couple of years will decrease the likelihood that you’ll discover a surprise when you return. Try to avoid running your washing machine or dishwasher when plan on leaving the house or going to sleep. When you are present, you have a better chance of discovering a problem. Have your roof checked out if it’s been more then ten years since anything’s been done to it.
It’s a given that none of these services are free, but the possible result, if these things are neglected, can be devastating. I cannot stress enough the importance of preventive maintenance. After 20+ years in this business I have seen a lot, and trust that the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is so very true. One final tip, it’s a good practice to turn your main water line off if you are going to be leaving for more then a day or two. Be sure to turn the breaker for your water heater off as well when you do this.
