9 ways to stop expensive home damage emergencies before they start

9 ways to stop expensive home damage emergencies before they start

Whether it’s a burst pipe, a house fire, or weather-related damage, expensive damage to our homes can often feel out of our control. Natural disasters, fires, and water damage cost home owners and insurance companies millions of dollars every year.

In some cases, however, we might be able to do more than we realize to help prevent home damage emergencies like these.

Here are our top 9 recommendations for preventing common causes of home damage before they become expensive emergencies.

Preventing weather damage

Inspect your roof for loose tiles or missing shingles

It’s important to make sure that your roof is doing its job keeping rain out, but winds and debris can damage your roof and lead to expensive repairs, especially if there are loose shingles or deferred repairs. If you’re a DIY homeowner and feel safe and comfortable using a ladder, perform periodic roof and shingle inspections to make sure everything is in good shape – or call a professional to check things out for you.

Trim trees that may cause damage to your home

Fallen trees and branches can damage your roof, siding, and windows in bad weather. Keeping overhanging branches cut back from your home can help prevent damage from a storm or strong winds. Make sure nearby trees are alive, healthy, and won’t pose a threat to your home in the event of foul weather. 

Clean your gutters twice a year (spring and fall)

When your gutters are clogged, water can’t drain properly – which means it can leak into your home and cause damage to your ceilings, walls, and foundation. Keeping your gutters clean protects your home not only during the rainy seasons, but also during the cold winter months when ice dams are common.

Preventing water damage

Clean your dishwasher filter once a month

When your dishwasher filter gets clogged, it can cause your dishwasher to leak, leading to severe water and mold damage that’s expensive to repair.

After you’ve cleaned the filter, go ahead and remove the kickplate from the bottom of your dishwasher and shine a flashlight underneath to make sure no water is pooling there. (If you do see any water, there is probably also water traveling behind your kitchen cabinets and/or under the kitchen floor – a sign you should give us a call!)

Know where your home’s main water shutoff valve is (and how to turn it off!)

If a pipe bursts in your home, or if you experience a severe water leak from your dishwasher or washing machine, cutting off the water supply early can help minimize damage until help arrives. Usually, the water shutoff valve is located near your water heater or laundry room. (Pro tip: consider leaving a sheet of important information like this behind for house-sitters or family members who keep an eye on your home when you travel!)

Check that pipes are properly insulated before the temperatures drop

Especially in areas that aren’t temperature controlled, like a basement or crawlspace, proper insulation helps keep your pipes from freezing and bursting during the colder months. Pipes on an exterior wall are much more likely to freeze, and also may be less obvious when they do. Water intrusion that goes unnoticed can be devastating to your home. 

Preventing fire damage

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month

We recommend keeping extra sets of batteries on hand so that they are always easy to replace and your detectors don’t miss a beat.

Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and anywhere else that may have a fire risk

For example, under a covered porch, if you often grill outdoors. Take the time to know how to use it in an emergency, too: fire extinguishers are simple to use, but they can feel tricky to operate in an emergency if you haven’t used one before. Consider having a quick family meeting to make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is located in your home and how to operate it in case of an emergency.

Avoid overloading electrical outlets

A good rule of thumb is that if something looks sketchy, it probably is! Never run “branch” extension cords off other extenders or power strips in the wall.

Older homes were not wired with modern materials and standards. If you live in an older home, we recommend getting a professional electrical inspection.

Want extra support? We have your back.

If you’d rather have a professional handle all the home maintenance stuff for you — one person you can call for regular inspections, needed maintenance, and emergency repairs — you might be interested in Umpire’s sister company, Partnerbunch.

But whether you’re a DIY-er or prefer to call a pro, at Umpire, you always have an expert just a phone call away to chat through any questions or concerns – and to help you through home damage emergencies in the event one does arise.