Water Damage

They say that prevention is the best cure and water damage isn’t an exception. While accidents do occur and there are many possible unexpected scenarios, Bighorn Rentals warns it’s essential that you conduct proper preventive maintenance to really minimize the risks of water damage.

In this article you’ll learn about ten different ways you can prevent water from creating serious damage in your rental property.

1.    Repair the roof

Homeowners don’t really focus on the roof issues before it’s too late. You shouldn’t wait for any brown spots or discoloration to appear on the property’s ceiling. By then it’s already too late.

A better approach is to annually check your roof. In the case of any damaged or outright missing shingles, you should get the repairs done immediately. This is a sure way to keep the water from entering the rooms, at least from the ceiling.

2. Clean the floor drains

Many people overlook their floor drains. Actually, these areas are notorious for the accumulation of dust, hair, and other potentially obstructive matter. The best policy is to clean the drains at least once a week or every two weeks. Doing it less often might expose the property to water hazards.

3. Extend the downspouts

The gutter downspouts should extend as far away from the property as possible. The efficiency of a drainage system lies in its ability to stop water from accumulating directly around the house.

When the downspouts are enabling the collection of rainwater around the building, then you haven’t got an effective drainage solution.

Furthermore, the extent isn’t the only important matter here. Any broken parts of the whole drainage system should be quickly replaced. Otherwise, you are allowing the risk of water damage to climb upwards.

4.  Clean the gutters

Another annual cleaning that you should do is gutter cleaning. This is a great way to lessen the risk of having any unnecessary water entering your property. The rain gutters are notorious for getting clogged with bits of vegetation and debris.

Also, rainwater might dislodge material that accumulates inside the gutters. Always make sure the gutters are properly angled. Otherwise, the water might start to pool around the property, creating significant damage to the house’s structural integrity.

5. Seal the cracks

Cracks in the foundation and the walls may raise the risk of water damage. When the water starts seeping into these cracks, the whole foundation of the house may get compromised. Sometimes bigger cracks may indicate major problems that need the attention of a structural engineer.

6.    Install a moisture sensor

Sometimes a smart moisture sensor can save your property from extensive water damage. The problem with water damage is that it’s not always a clear emergency. There are times when water is gradually seeping in and slowly destroying some parts of the house.

That’s why it’s useful to use gadgets like a moisture sensor. You should install it in the areas prone to water damage. For example, you could put it in the crawl space or under the sink. If the device is connected to the Wi-Fi, you’ll immediately get a notification of a moisture level getting out of control. The initial investment could save you a fortune.

7.   Check your sump pump

Are you noticing excess moisture and water in your crawl space or basement rooms? Sump pumps work to keep these spaces clear of any water that has started to pile up in the sump pit. You should regularly keep an eye on this pump to ensure that the water hasn’t started to damage the building from underneath.

8. Screen the tenants

You might be thinking, what does this have to do with water damage? Well, tenants with certain backgrounds might be at a higher risk for creating any damage, including water-related causes.

Make sure that the tenants haven’t been evicted in the past. Failure to pay the rent might indicate that they could be negligent towards the property as well. When your potential tenants show up drunk or under the influence of any drugs, then steer clear. Having frequent alcohol-fueled parties raises the risk of water damage significantly because it shows that they do not care for the rental property.

9. Check the window seals

Improperly sealed windows aren’t just a nuisance, they could create long-term problems with water damage. Moisture and water can easily enter the rooms from windows that have worn-out seals.

Also, noticing any cracks around the windows should alert you enough to get them fixed as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the summer to end because even the first big rainstorm could create a lot of damage.

10.   Create a slope in the yard

In the case of a violent rainstorm, water can quickly accumulate on level ground and start to endanger the property. Grading the surrounding yard in a downward fashion lets the rainwater flow away from the building.

There are many practical steps that you can take to prevent water from damaging your rental property. Clean the floor drains and rain gutters, seal any cracks, check the sump pump and the window seals while ensuring the yard is properly graded.

If anything needs repair work, then take the proper steps immediately. Any postponing of these repairs could be interpreted as neglect if you have a tenant living inside the property while there’s a water emergency creating damage inside the house. Also, having a moisture sensor installed in areas prone to water damage is a useful way to protect the rental property from serious damage.

If water damage happens to you, call 970.668.1600 for fast restoration service.