Mistakes That Increase The Risk of Water Damage in Your Rhode Island Home

Water damage cleanup is an extremely common problem for property owners. While it can be difficult to prepare for and prevent water damage from certain sources (like severe storms), most water damage disasters can be prevented by following several simple steps. Conversely, there are several common mistakes property owners frequently make that significantly increase the likelihood of water damage occurring. Below are four of these mistakes that our water damage cleanup team at Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration in Rhode Island commonly observe.

Skipping Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance like cleaning your appliances, unclogging drains, and dealing with minor issues as they arise is critically important for preventing water damage. Neglecting these basic mistakes is a common, but costly, mistake that significantly increases the likelihood of a water damage disaster occurring in your home. Taking the extra few minutes out of your day for routine maintenance also has the benefit of giving you peace of mind that you are protected against the need for water damage cleanup.

Poor Landscaping

Poor landscaping is an underappreciated issue that can significantly increase the probability of water damage in your home. When done correctly, your yard should be sloped away from the foundation of your home so moisture runs away from it rather than toward it. If the grading is incorrect or has shifted over time, water can pool near the foundation, eventually seeping into basements or crawl spaces. Additionally, planting trees or shrubs too close to your home can lead to root intrusion and interfere with proper drainage systems. Without effective grading and strategic planting, even moderate rainfall can cause costly damage over time, necessitating water damage cleanup.

Not Installing A Sump Pump in Your Basement

Having a sump pump installed in your basement is a godsend if your basement ever floods. During a flood, the sump pump will immediately activate and begin pumping water out of your basement. Nothing is better for mitigating the effects of water damage in your basement. Conversely, not having a working sump pump in your basement can cost you dearly if your basement floods.

Storing Items Directly on the Basement Floor

It’s easy to store your valuable possessions on the basement floor without a second thought. Most of the time, this won’t cause you any problems. However, if your basement floods, then your valuables are at risk of being destroyed by water damage. Thus, making sure your valuables stored in the basement are elevated by at least 6 inches is a simple way to mitigate the water damage cleanup costs if your basement floods.

Water Damage Cleanup in Rhode Island

Though water damage prevention is never guaranteed, avoiding the mistakes discussed above will go a long way toward avoiding water damage in your property. Nonetheless, if you do ever deal with water damage in your property, make sure you contact a certified water damage cleanup company for help right away. We at Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration in Rhode Island are just one call away, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call.