by Steve Estes
Homeowners always need to be on top of home maintenance to ensure that they are not inflicted with many kinds of disasters. They can do many things to curb these major catastrophes by catching these problems before they start and making sure that these incidences do not occur in the future. For many homes, especially older ones, the most common cause of damage is water.
Water damage can be quite devastating if allowed to get out of hand or it goes undetected for some time. This type of damage is not like other kinds because it can occur deep inside the homes foundation and many hard to get to places that can lead to mold and rot.
A home washer is often connected to a cold and hot water line. It must be periodically checked to ensure that the lines are running, as they should. Start by moving the washer out from the wall and inspect the hoses and water line ends. Take a look at the joints and fix the leaks you find. This can be done with either duct tape or special glue. If its more difficult than you can handle, be sure to call a professional to take care of the problem.
Every three months, replace and/or clean out the washer filters. Doing so keeps the filtered from becoming blocked which will slow down the water in the washer, leading to two problems. First, blocked filters can cause mechanical malfunctions. Second, a blocked filter can cause your water bill to skyrocket. If you live in an area that is susceptible to hard water, increase this preventive maintenance routine. Be sure to examine the shut off valve for leaks. Should there be any, replace it.
The majority of household appliances have hoses so its important to check them out to ensure that they are not leaking or frayed. Make sure the water connection and back of the washer is about four inches apart from one another. If you see problems with the hoses, replace them. Consider purchasing the steel braided hoses for its longevity. If not, youll be replacing those ordinary hoses at least two times a year.
Your dryer has a ventilation hose that needs to be replaced every two years. However, check it periodically for holes and tears. You may want to check the outside part of the ventilation hose because animals and insects have a tendency to gnaw at it. This can also lead to problems with it. Make sure to look underneath and behind your dryer for lint. By doing this, youll notice if youre having problems with the vent pipe clogging up. Be sure to still check the vent pipe to ensure it is not clogging. You should have the exhaust rather short for the dryer to work, as it should. Your lint trap should be changed often so the dryer will not overheat.
Your utility sink can be source of water problems so make sure to search for water puddles and discoloration, both underneath and behind it. If you notice sunken boards, its indicative of a water problem in the past. If you notice dripping in the trap, found under the sink, it will need to be repaired as soon as possible. Slow draining water means your utility sink has a blocked drain. This will require a professional to take care of.
You can get rid of clogs by using household cleaners but if they fail, dont attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, call in a professional. If a faucet is continuously running or the sink seals are cracked and/or loose, you should replace at once. If your walls are damp or becoming stained, you need to rule internal plumbing leaks. If you find problems, call in a professional as soon as you can to prevent further problems.
About the Author:
Chuck Pennington is Owner of Statewide drying, a New York based water damage service owner as well as the developer of the Aquadry system of drying equipment. If you can utilize our services please go to our site at
Water Damage