Water Damage Prevention Tips for Florida Homes

Although the average elevation in Southern Florida is 100 feet, some areas are as little as 3 feet above sea level. This means that many Florida homes are prone to flooding, and to protect your home and maintain its value, it is important to take steps to prevent water damage. This guide features several practical water damage prevention tips that can help.

Understand Florida’s Water Damage Risks

Hurricanes and thunderstorms are the primary cause of flooding and water damage in southern Florida, especially for those homes located in Florida flood zones, but there are plenty of other causes. Roof failures, burst pipes, water heater leaks, faulty gutters, or broken windows can all lead to extensive water damage, as well as mold growth and structural problems if left untreated. This damage can be quite difficult and costly to repair, and that’s why water damage prevention and storm preparedness are so important for Florida homeowners.

6 Tips for Preventing Water Damage

Here are six ways that you can help to prevent water damage in your Florida home:

Regular Roof Inspections

Your roof is your primary protection against water damage and leaks during storms. Regular roof inspections by a professional roofing contractor about once a year can help to spot any existing roof damage, as well as issues like loose shingles, nail pops, or missing flashing that could lead to leaks in the future.

Install and Maintain Proper Drainage Systems

Drainage systems like French drains around the exterior of your home and sump pumps inside basements or crawl spaces can help to control groundwater intrusion or storm-related flooding. To keep your drainage systems and sump pumps operating properly, they should be inspected and maintained once a year.

Check and Repair Plumbing Leaks

A burst washing machine hose, a leaking water heater, or a pipe leak inside a wall can use extensive water damage in very little time. Have your plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances inspected for problems annually to spot leaks, and repair any issues you find promptly to prevent water damage.

Install Water Detection Devices

Adding leak detection devices on water mains, in crawl spaces, and near appliances like water heaters or washing machines can help to detect flooding and notify you right away. Not only will this keep water damage to a minimum inside your home, but it will help to reduce repair costs.

Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors that do not seal properly could let rain in during a storm, but they can also lead to ongoing humidity and condensation issues. Seal your windows and doors for better humidity control, and add storm shutters to protect the glass from damage and leaks during hurricanes, thunderstorms, or high winds.

Waterproof Basements and Crawl Spaces

Concrete is naturally porous, so many homes with basements and crawl spaces will have flooding and groundwater intrusion issues. Taking steps to seal the concrete and waterproof your basement or crawl space can keep your home drier and healthier while preventing water damage.

Call Us for Water Restoration Services

For more tips on water damage prevention, mold prevention, hurricane season preparation, and more, talk to our team at United Water Restoration Group. We offer water and flood damage restoration, mold remediation, reconstruction services, and more throughout South Florida. Our services are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we work with all insurance companies, handling the logistics of the entire process to make it as painless as possible for home and business owners who have suffered a loss due to water, storm, or fire damage.

Call us today to request a quote for water damage restoration anywhere in Naples, Pompano, North Port, Sarasota, or the surrounding areas.