If your home gets damaged, it’s more than just a headache. It can also be a costly problem that drains your bank account and negatively impacts your property value. Here are just a few things to keep your eye on to prevent expensive renovation projects in your future.
House Fires
Fire is one of the most destructive things that can happen to your home. Whether it’s a kitchen fire, heater fire or electrical fire, it can spread within seconds, and the secondary damage from the smoke is often just as bad as the charring flames. Consider fireproofing your property by using fire-retardant materials around the house as well as installing smoke alarms and keeping a fire extinguisher handy.
Ice Damage
Ice can be as costly as fire. In the winter, pipes can freeze and burst, and roofs can enter perpetual freeze-thaw cycles that result in widespread water damage. Things can start leaking. Ice dams can form over your home’s exterior. You’ll need to keep a watchful eye and make sure that any frosty build-ups get shoveled, chipped and removed before they can cause problems.
Hidden Mold
Mold is caused by moisture from things like humidity, roof leaks and poorly-ventilated bathrooms. It can be a very insidious problem that you don’t even notice until it’s already spread, and by then, it’s often bad enough to have caused damage to your home. The good news is that there are several effective methods of mold removal that can banish the spores like they were never there, including antimicrobial chemical cleaners. Companies like 1-800-BUSY-DOG specialize in mold remediation.
Wind and Storms
Wind damage is often outside of your control as a homeowner, but there are things that you can do to mitigate the worst of its effects. For example, you can reinforce your roof to better withstand storms, and you can caulk your doors and windows to form stronger barriers against pressure-changing drafts. You can also take preventative measures like trimming trees and bushes near your home so that they can’t become destructive forces during high winds.
Leaks and Flooding
The basement can flood. The faucets in the kitchen or bathroom can start leaking. Even your heavy-duty appliances can start trickling fluids that later turn into deluges. Leaks are a very common cause of rotted wood and drywall in the home, so if you want to prevent costly repairs, perform periodic inspections of your property.
These are just a few of the most common ways that natural and man-made disasters can damage your home. Part of being a homeowner is being aware of these dangers and doing what you can to prevent them, so take care to be alert, responsible and safe.
