What are the first things you think of when you hear the word ‘winter’? If you said ‘dealing with water damage’, you’re already thinking ahead.
We all want to enjoy the holidays in peace and comfort. Sadly, the weather doesn’t always comply with our wishes. Water damage can strike at any time, whether from steady condensation accumulated right beneath your nose or the aftermath of a heavy storm. It can cost you your furniture and leave you spending more money on mold remediation than the presents you’ve been wanting to get for your friends come Christmas. Take just a few minutes to learn more about basement and foundation waterproofing.
You’ll thank yourself down the road when the snow hits.
Got Leaks? Patch Them Out As Soon As Possible
Have you had any leaks in your bathroom or kitchen? It’s time to stop ignoring them and call a plumber to patch them out. While a dripping faucet doesn’t seem like a big deal, the truth of the matter is you’re losing a lot of water throughout the week. Your leaky faucet can waste up to 100 gallons a day. For comparison, one flush of the toilet uses six gallons of water and the average five minute shower uses between 15 to 25 gallons of water. Keep your bill low by nipping those stubborn leaks in the bud.
Keep Track Of Your Water Count
Let’s keep the ball rolling. Your home’s water count is going to go a long way in what kind of water damage you might deal with. The average bath requires around 35 gallons of water, to put things in further perspective, and your average family of four can go through nearly 900 gallons of water per week just flushing the toilet. Your local plumbing services can help immensely with keeping your day-to-day water usage in perspective. Whether this means a low-flush toilet or patching up a leak…you’ll be glad you took the initiative now.
Nobody Likes A Moldy Home
Now to talk about the health hazard side of things. Mold is more than just gross. It’s actually harmful to breathe in and can expose you and your family to various forms of cancer. The past five years have seen a 200% increase in defect mold litigation in construction alone, which is nothing to say of mold removal services for residential locations. Mold thrives in environments that are cold and wet, often the side-effect of dealing with water damage.
Double-Check Those Pipes
This is one area where you’ll need a professional. Your pipework is a complex labyrinth of old materials and daily usage. A house that’s over 20 years old might have some out-of-date pipes that need to be checked for cracks. The average cost of a home’s water damage insurance claim is just under $7,000, which is a bill you absolutely do not want to be saddled with during the holidays. There are over 500,000 people employed as plumbers and pipefitters today. Giving them a call now will save you a lot of trouble later.
Don’t Go Dealing With Water Damage For The Holidays
There are steps you can take now to avoid dealing with water damage down the road. Your first order of business is to double-check the state of your basement and make sure it’s capable of preventing condensation. Farmers Insurance recently released a statement emphasizing the 1,000 increase in mold related claims over the past decade. You can also look into mold remediation services to determine if there are any fungal growths sprouting right under your nose. Common warning signs include watering eyes, unusual congestion, and allergy attacks.
Instead of thinking of all the patch-up jobs you’ll have to do during winter, think instead of good dinners and good times. Reach out to your Chicago restoration company and ask for a check-up this month.