Five Ways to Protect Your Home From Leaks This Winter

Home Leak Protection One: Inspect Your Water Heater

How long has it been since you inspected your water heater to make sure it is not leaking moisture? The average water heater remains in good condition for 10 to 15 years, providing hot water for homes on a daily basis. Various components on the water heater can rust, including the tank that can hold 30 gallons of water or more. If the tank on a home’s water heater is beginning to rust, it requires a fast replacement. Additional mechanisms on a water heater such as intake pipes can also leak moisture, but a plumber can frequently replace these parts.

Home Leak Protection Two: Basement Wall Sealing

If a home is located in an area where local waterways flood frequently, then it is vital to seal a building’s basement walls. There are a variety of products available to waterproof basement walls after the materials are repaired. Before the application of sealants, it is important to fill the holes and cracks of a basement’s walls. Homeowners can buy do-it-yourself kits to seal basement walls or hire a professional technician. It is possible to apply waterproofing sealants to both the interior and exterior of a structure to prevent moisture leaks.

Home Leak Protection Three: Inspect a Home’s Plumbing Fixtures

Old water pipes that corrode from the inside out can leak hundreds of gallons of water on a home’s surfaces. In many cases, these pipes are located inside walls or ceilings, and a massive amount of damage occurs rapidly without homeowners noticing it until it is too late. The pipes located underneath bathroom and kitchen sinks are a good indication of the types of pipes located in hidden spaces of a home. When you notice that the water pipes underneath sinks are in horrible condition, you need to have a plumber inspect the other pipes inside a home to determine if complete repiping is necessary.

Home Leak Protection Four: Add Caulking to a Home to Prevent Heating Leaks

Water leaks are not the only problem in a home because it is also possible to lose a home’s heat from small crevices and cracks. To avoid leaking around windows, doors and utility lines, apply liquid caulking that is found at local stores. The best way to prevent the loss of heat from a home is injecting caulking to both the inside and outside of the structure in any hole or crevice where cold air enters and warm air escapes.

Home Leak Protection Five: Maintain a Home’s Roof

The roof on your home requires an inspection at least once a year to determine if there is damage from wind that has torn away shingles. If shingles or underlying areas are missing from a roof, then it is essential to have the surfaces repaired. In addition, roofs are designed to last for many years, but eventually, the entire surface requires replacement to protect a home’s wooden frame and interior materials.

 

Evan Shaner