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Author:
Adam Jackson

Expensive repairs from water damage might be needed in your home. Repair them before they multiply! Water damage is possible any time in the year-from the weather, malfunctioned appliances, clogs, or by poorly done home repair. You can save on most home repair costs by ensuring that your home is safeguarded from water damage seasonally before anything turns into expensive repairs.

What does water damage look like? Standing water can weaken a surface, causing it to rot, rust, or mildew, and eventually turn into expensive repairs.

The most expensive repairs are foundational damage and mold growths. Such home repair can force you to vacate if the home is deemed unsafe even after treated for water damage by professionals. Take control by learning how to home repair or prevent potential water damage sites.

Outdoor water damage prevention home repair tips:

1. Do-it-yourself home repair for gutters are simple and not expensive. Repairs can be minimized if you remember to check for water damage or leaks and clean out the gutters and downspouts each season.
2. Block debris with gutter guards, and use downspout extensions to help divert the runoff from the foundation to prevent further expensive repairs from water damage.

Indoor water damage prevention home repair tips:

1. Home repair any loose window and door caulking to prevent rain or snow from seeping in and causing water damage.
2. In below-freezing weather, keep the water running at a trickle and allow heat to reach the pipes. This will avoid having them burst, with the potential for water damage.
3. Avoid expensive repairs to your basement's sump pump by keeping it in working order.
4. Replace or home repair the sump pump as needed, ensuring the surrounding area remains dry and water-damage-free.
5. Check refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines regularly for water damage itself, or for leaks that can cause water damage to floors or walls.
6. Avoid needless expensive repairs or home repair to bathroom drains and pipes by using drain guards to trap hair.
7. Home repair clogged drains with a plunger or a bent wire instead of professional products.
8. Replace leaky faucets, run bathroom exhaust fans during use, and thoroughly clean and dry surfaces regularly to prevent water damage and mold from building.
9. Don't use carpeting in areas exposed to water-damage can occur if carpeting is damp.

When to call on professional help:
1. To thoroughly dry carpeting/floor after flooding.
2. When home repair fails to correct a problem.
3. If water damage causes you to vacate the home.
4. To service your air conditioning unit.

Before you can file a claim for expensive repairs caused by water damage to your home, your insurance company expects you to have followed through with all safeguarding measures. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for any home repair due to your negligence.

When water damage comes from floods, make sure your home insurance includes flood coverage, for it to pay for each home repair-including all of the expensive repairs-caused from water damage. In the U.S., the reality is that flooding and water damage can occur anywhere. Home insurance covers home repairs needed as a result of structural damage or theft, but in most cases you will need to purchase a separate flood policy if you want any water damage home repairs covered as a result of flooding. Flood insurance is truly a safeguard on home repairs, an affordable investment that pays for itself.

Adam Jackson of http://www.household-helper.com is a home repair expert striving to bring you the best free home repair and improvement information on the web.

| Article Keywords: Water Damage

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Water Damage... Water-Flood Damage Information and Tips Water and Flood Damage Information For Your Property Water damages requires immediate attention to minimize further losses. In case a water damage occurs in your home or property try to locate the problem. By doing so you can help prevent further damages. Examples are turning off the water line for faucet,washing machine or dishwasher.Call a plumber to report a leak for service and report the damage to your Insurance Company. Your insurance adjusters will guide you through the process and will give you advices on what to do. Then move Items in advance such as furnitures, boxes, clothes, beds, etc. to a room which is unaffected. The basic idea here is to Move and Protect your personal belongings and documents. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. "Allow molds to grow on home and or a building, materials that are soaked wet for more than 24 hours, and in "48 hours of wetness, the deadly toxic mold Stachybotrys can begin growing in the damaged areas." This is a fact and documented by mold experts. Water Damage Tips *Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping the area or using a wet/dry vacuum. *Wipe as much excess water from wood furniture as you can and remove tabletop lamps and other items from the furniture. *Turn the air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer and open the windows in the winter to release trapped for an improved indoor air quality. *Remove any artwork and paintings from the walls if affected. *Remove any area rugs from the floor and hang to dry outside or inside. *Remove wet upholstery cushions from the frame and prop them up to dry immediately. *Place plastic or aluminum foil under any furniture legs that are not plastic...