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Water Damage Prevention Tips

General Tips

  • Insurance-  Examine your insurance policy or check with your insurance agent to make sure you have proper coverage if water damage occurs.  If you have a finished basement, ensure you have a sump pump/drain back up endorsement, which is usually in addition to your standard homeowners policy.
    • 3 types of insuranced related to water damage.
      • 1- Standard Homeowners – covers sudden and accidental damage such as a burst pipe or overflowing washing machine.  Total $ coverage is typcially the amount your home is insured for. 
      • 2- Drain backup / Sump pump coverage –  This is an extra additional endorsement to provide coverage if damage is caused by sewer or drain back up or sump pump failure.  Total $ coverage depends on what amount of insurance you purchase, common amounts are $5,000 or $10,000
      • 3- Flood Insurance – Covers your home from flooding caused by rain, flooding or a hurricane.  Most homeowners in Indiana do not have this unless your home is in a flood zone, your mortgage company may require you to carry this insurance.  Learn more from FEMA about National Flood Insurance Program or Learn about Fort Wayne / Allen County Flood Hazard Areas.
  • Storage-  Store your personal belongings on shelves or in plastic containers.  This will prevent water from damaging items stored in a cardboard box or on the floor.  This simple tip can preserve sentimental irreplaceable items like family photos or herilooms. 
  • Water Shut Off Valve-  Ensure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut valve is and how to turn it off in an emergency.  (Turn the valve clockwise to turn it off.)  If you go out of town for vacation or your are a snowbird, turn your main water valve off or arrange to have someone check on your house regularly.
  • Water Damage Alarms- Place water damage alarms in areas where water damage is possible, next to appliances, in utility rooms, next to sump pump pits.  An alarm will alert you so you can take action to minimize damage ASAP.
  • Dehumidifier-  Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air which can cause odor and/or mold.  Set it up to drain automatically and set to the recommended 40-60% relative humidity recomendation. 
  • Clothes Washing Machine
    • Be sure the discharge hose is secured to the wall drain. 
    • Replace Washing Machine Hoses-  Instead of waiting for them to break, be proactive and replace your rubber hoses every 5 years.  Invest in steel braided hoses rather than cheaper plastic or rubber hoses.
  • Drywall-  When hanging drywall, allow approximately a one-inch gap between the floor and the drywall.  If a flood occurs in the future, and it is no more than one-inch high, the water will not touch touch the drywall and absorb into it.
  • Inspect Your Roof for needed repairs or replacement. 
  • Plumbing-  Have your plumber inspect your plumbing and sump pump for leaks.
  • Drain Pan-  Install a drain pan under your clothes washing machine and hot water heater, this way if a leak occurrs it will be contatined and damage minimized.
  • Refrigerator / Ice Maker Water Line – Check for leaky fittings, valves or a kinked hose especially when moving the appliance. 
  • Air Conditioning – Condensation and water is generated by the air conditioning running in the summer.  Review if this water goes to a drain and if so be sure the drain isnt plugged.  If it goes to a small pump lift station inspect it for proper operation.  
  • Humidifier – A furnance humidifier add’s moisture to your homes air but there is excess water that is created.  If it goes to a drain, be sure it isn’t plugged.  If it goes to a small pump lift station, inspect it for proper operation.  

Heavy Rain & Thunderstorms

If your home has a basement, you most likely have a sump pump.  Below are 3 main causes of water damage related to basement sump pumps. 

  • POWER OUTAGE – Thunderstorms, lightning and trees that fall on power lines can cause power outage resulting in your sump pump not operating.  Since there is normally heavy rain that accompanies these events it can result in water damage if you have a basement.  Below our options to overcome this problem:
    • Use 5 gallon buckets to take water out of the sump pump pit and dump it outside away from the house.  This is the slowest and hardest method, but with a bucket brigade you may be able to prevent water damage. 
    • Install a battery back up sump pump.  This way if your arent home and the power goes out, you will have a pump operating immediately.  However at some point the battery will be depleated, this is where a generator is useful.
      • If you have a battery back up sump pump, make sure the battery is good and that it charges. 
    • Have a generator, extension cord and fuel to power your sump pump if the power goes out.  This is a good option for an extended power outage, however you would need to be home to start the generator and connect power to the sump pump.
      • Start the generator at least once a year to be sure it runs and is ready to use at a moments notice. 
    • Install a whole house generator powered by natural gas.  This option, while the largest $ investment, would start up automatically in a power outage and run continuously without a homeowner needing to take any action. 
    • Install a Water Powered Sump Pump.  This is powered by water pressure and can operate without electricity. 
  • PUMP FAILURE – At some point your sump pump will stop working.  When this happens along with rain, your basement will be water damaged.  Below are some tips to prevent this.
    • Install a 2nd sump pump connected to a battery backup.  At some point your primary pump will stop working.  This way even if you have power, but the primary pump stops working, the second pump can seamlessly take over.
    • Ensure the primary and secondary pumps work.
      • Occasionally test primary and secondary sump pumps and floats to be sure both operate. 
      • Install a system that alerts you if the secondary pump is activated, so you can diagnose and repair the primary pump.
      • If your sump pump is older than 10 years, consult a plumber about replacing it before it fails.  
      • Be sure the sump pump horsepower and gallons per minute it pumps is appropriate for your home. 
  • WATER FLOW – If water cannot flow in or out of the pump freely, water damage could result.  Consider the following advice.
    • Check that the sump pump pit and intake is clean and free of debris that could plug the pump intake or cause the float to get stuck, preventing the pump from turning on.
    • Know where the sump pump drains and that the drainage / piping isnt damaged or clogged.  Read more in the section about gutters and drainage.

Gutters & Drainage

Heavy rain can cause water damage in homes on a slab without a basement and in homes with a basement.  To prevent this:

  • Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris.  
  • Get water from gutters and your sump pump discharge as far away from your home as possible.
    • If water drains at the foundation of a home, it increases the water a sump pump has to process and could even eventually just be recirculating the same water. 
    • Use downspot extensions
    • Bury corrgated pipe sloping away from the home.
    • Regrade the yard to make sure water flows away from your home.
  • Check drain flow and know where the drain pipes go.
    • Hire a plumber to do an inspection of your drain lines with a camera or DIY by putting a hose in your gutter or sump pump pit then check the other end to be sure it drains freely.  
    • Be sure foundation perimeter tile and the drain tile or drain exit isn’t crushed or blocked with tree roots, dirt or rocks.  Installation of utilities or other systems like pet invisible fencing, internet, sprinkler systems could have damaged the drain tile. 
    • Sump pump and gutter drains should not go into a sewer or strom drain.  In heavy rain, back pressure could prevent proper drainage.  They should discharge freely onto the surface of your yard or a pond.  
  • Keep street drains and ditches free of debris.  Join Fort Wayne in keeping street drains clean

Sewer & Drain Back-Up

  • In areas where the sewer and storm drains are connected, water damage may occur in your home during heavy rain.  In Fort Wayne, connected storm and sanitary drains, known as combined sewers, are primarily located in the older, central parts of the city, generally built before 1970’s.  Learn more from the city of Fort Wayne about stormwater, sewer backup and sewer system. 
  • One way to prevent a sewer backup is to install a check valve between your home and the main sewer line.
  • Have a professional plumber / drainage company inspect your drain lines with a camera, clean or repair them if needed or install a check valve is advisable.  
  • Don’t put anything down a drain besides liquids, human waste or toilet paper, other things can get stuck causing problems.  

Freezing Temperatures

Water can freeze at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.  When it freezes it expands and can crack pipes causing water damage when it thaws out.

  • Garden Hoses- Disconnect garden hoses from all outside faucets in the fall BEFORE freezing temperatures.  The first time you use your outside faucet in the spring be sure to check to make sure the pipe in the wall is not leaking from winter freezing.  After turning on your outside water faucet, do a quick check of your water pipes. If you hear water leaking, immediately shut off your homes main water shut off value.
  • Insulate- Insulate hot and cold water pipes to prevent freezing, especially those in a garage, attic or exterior wall.
  • Install insulation covers on outside hose faucets.
  • Drain Water Lines- If it is extremely cold or your heat isn’t working, turn off your main water valve and open all faucets in your home to drain and release pressure from water lines.  This may prevent pressurized lines from freezing and bursting, causing a water damage.  When you turn the water back on, inspect your home for leaks. If the pipe burst while it was frozen, it will not leak until it thaws out or the water pressure is turned back on.
  • Keep Garage Doors Closed- Especially during cold weather if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Doors on exterior walls- This will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • Let Water Drip From Faucets Served by Exposed Pipes.  Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle will help prevent pipes from freezing during below freezing temperatures.
  • Winterize- If your home will be vacant for the winter, have a professional winterize your home’s plumbing. At the very least, turn off your main water valve and temporarily open all faucets to drain any pressure from the supply water lines.
  • Install PEX instead of copper or PVC plumbing/pipes.  PEX is flexible allowing it to expand if water freezes, making it far more resistant to bursting.  New homes built after 2010 are likely to use PEX.
  • Sprinkler Systems- Turn off, drain and winterize.
  • Keep gutters clear and roofs clean to prevent ice damns
  • Review more tips to prepare for the cold winter season. 

If Water Damage Occurs:

1- Stop the cause of the water damage if possible and contact a plumber for repairs. 

2- Contact a water damage restoration professional asap to extract water, remove damage items and begin drying to prevent mold.  For service in Fort Wayne, Indiana contact us, Distinctive Cleaning & Restoration 260-250-4664

3- Contact your insurance company and take photos to document the damage.

We are happy to share these FREE tips that we have learned over decades of professional training and experience.  Many of the featured products will make it easier for you to prevent thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  When you buy items through links we provide, as an Amazon Associate we earn a small percentage of the purchase.  There is no additional or extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our efforts to share this valuable information for free.

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