Water damage is a severe problem that can lead to mold and other health issues. A great way to prevent water damage is to take steps in your home that keep moisture from getting in and building up over time.
Keep the water away.
If you’re having a water damage problem, the first thing to do is keep the water out of your home. Most people think it’s enough to close their doors and windows when the sirens go off in case of a leak or flood. That doesn’t work for long-term prevention. Here are tips on how to keep water out:
- Cover electrical outlets with tape or plastic bags so they don’t get wet.
- Make sure there are no gas lines near areas with standing water; this includes sinks, dishwashers, and other appliances that use gas as fuel (like stoves).
- Do not use a fireplace if there’s been any flooding within an hour before or after it was lit up; this can cause fires due to sparks flying around inside those rooms where no one would want them going off accidentally. Be sure not to let carpets get soaked through leaks or spills on floors underneath them! The same goes if wood floors have been exposed directly after being laid down by contractors who didn’t do their best job laying down new boards properly aligned together so they could stand up straight instead of falling apart with time passing by too quickly.
Do not use a humidifier.
If you have a humidifier, monitoring the moisture levels is essential. Humidifiers can increase your home’s humidity and cause mold to grow. They also make wood and other materials rot due to increased moisture content. This should be avoided if possible because it can lead to respiratory problems for sensitive or allergic people (or both).
If you have a humidifier, use it sparingly—and only when there’s terrible weather outside. Do not overdo things and risk ruining your possessions by causing too much damage from mold growth!
Keep a spare mop and broom in your home.
To keep a light mop and broom in your home, you must:
- Make sure the mop is thoroughly wet. You can tell if it has been saturated by checking for water droplets on the surface of the cloth or sponge.
- Clean up any mud on your floors with a shop vac or power washer before putting away any clean rags or towels used in this process. This is especially important if any hard-to-remove stains on your carpeting or hardwood flooring could damage their finish over time due to prolonged exposure to moisture.
Maintain your plumbing and appliances.
Use a water softener if you have hard water (which can cause buildup in pipes). You should keep a drip irrigation system running. This waters the plants on all sides of the house as needed rather than letting them sit around waiting for a periodic watering schedule that may never come again!
Ensure that you maintain washers and dryers so they don’t break down all at once and leave you without any way to clean up after yourself or your pets when they have an accident in the bathroom.
Use a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers remove extra moisture from the air, which helps keep your home and belongings safe.
If you have a dehumidifier at home, it will remove water from the air as you sleep and when you are away.
You can purchase dehumidifiers at most home improvement stores or online retailers. They range in price from around $20-50 depending on size and brand name. Still, they are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of insurance coverage.
Inspect the roof and gutters.
The first step to preventing water damage leading to mold is inspecting the roof and gutters. Check for cracks in the ceiling, loose shingles, missing or loose flashing, clogged drains, and any loose or missing flashing that may be holding water back from entering a home’s interior. Ensure your gutters are clean and debris-free so that no leaves or other materials accumulate over time.
Clean up after the rain.
Clean up any water that has fallen on your property. If you have a lawn, mow it before the shower to ensure the grass isn’t wet when it stops raining. This will help prevent mold from growing in your yard and possibly spreading into your home.
Clean up any water that has fallen on your neighbors’ property. If you live in an apartment complex or condo, clean up after each other so everyone can enjoy a safe place to live again! Water damage cleanup in Shawnee, KS, will solve your problem. Clean up any water falling on the street where you live or work.
Look for standing water around outdoor faucets, downspouts, and drains.
When you see standing water around outdoor faucets, downspouts, and gutters, it’s time to call a professional. If you don’t see any evidence of mold on your property, then there is a strong chance that it has escaped into your home. Mold loves damp environments, so standing water in these areas could also lead to mold growth outside your house.
Hearing protection is a sound investment.
Hearing protection is a good investment. It can help prevent hearing loss, common among workers and people working in noisy environments. Invest in hearing protection for yourself or others in your family if you worry about the effects of noise on your ears.
Depending on your chosen type, hearing protection can be expensive or inexpensive. Custom earmuffs are often more costly than disposable earplugs. However, they offer better performance than generic foam tips (which cost less).
Water damage can be an expensive disaster, but with the proper precautions, you can avoid it. If things get out of hand, you can call water damage cleanup companies in Shawnee, KS. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to preventing mold from forming in your home.