In today's real estate climate, it's important for you-and your home-to put its best foot forward. More than the regular clean up and a fresh coat of paint, it's important to check the levels of water damage to your home, before the inspector comes and does it for you. Fortunately, water damage restoration is easy once you know which items to fix, but only if you know where to look and what to look for. One of the first things to watch out for? Water. It may seem like an obvious answer, but most people often overlook the places where water is commonly found, such as bathrooms, pool sides, and even the kitchen. They think that since these locations are built to have contact with water, that they would be protected from water damage. While it may be true that these places are more insulated, they may still require some water damage restoration. And more often than not, people do not check on them until the damage has already been done. Bathrooms are a common culprit. People tend to overlook bathrooms, because they think it's virtually waterproof. But unless you have a fully tiled wet room, there are spots in your bathroom that may need some water damage restoration, mainly anything that's exposed and made of wood. Ceilings are usually the first ones to go. The humidity in bathrooms often leads to the buildup of mildew, which can turn into mold. You can reduce the amount of mildew growth just by opening the bathroom window, but it's also a good idea pull a chair and give it a scrub every two weeks. Because when mildew turns into mold, not only is it harder to clean, but it destroys the wood and turns into a health hazard. The same can be said about those little nooks and crannies that we can't see: unprotected side moldings, wooden cabinets, and even wooden window frames. Wood expands and contracts with moisture, and there's plenty of that in the bathroom. The results are often tiny little cracks, which can be a haven for mildew, or worse: hold in water from the kids' last bathtub wars adventure. The same goes for tiny cracks in the tile. It's little cracks like these that are often overlooked in water restoration projects, and may either mount up to costly replacements, or become huge discounts, for when the house goes up for market. The solution is spackle and cocking. It may seem simple, but just sealing these little cracks is the key in water damage restoration. The same goes for pool areas that have gotten water logged decks or cracked concrete. It may look as if they've dried up on the surface, but these cracks collect more water each and every time you get out of the pool, compromising their integrity. Sealing the cracked concrete with grout is a good solution, as well as replacing damaged planks. Remember that wood is absorbent, so when one plank stays soggy, the ones next to it will more likely be soggy too. And the damage is usually done on the inside, so by the time it becomes obvious, it's usually too late. Likewise, leaky roofs and rotted shingles are routinely included in water damage restoration projects, but most neglect to check the carpets underneath their floors. Little spills often seep through the carpeting and into the hardwood floors underneath, creating not just damage, but mold buildup. So make sure to check your floors when you have major spills, especially when it's on the second floor. Kitchens are also one place you may need constant water damage restoration, particularly behind the refrigerators and kitchen sinks. Occasionally, when the refrigerator loses power or defrosts, water seeps behind the refrigerator, a place where most of us are not likely to look. Thus, any exposed wood is prone to damage and will more likely hold mold, a dangerous situation since it is very close to where we store our food. The same goes to cabinets underneath the kitchen sink. Moisture from the sink makes those cramped places humid, as well as tiny leaks that we may not be aware of. Besides the usual repairs, it is important to not only routinely clean these places, but to constantly check if these appliances need repairs. Leaking pipes are a common problem, wherever in the house they may be, so it's a good idea to check for the amount of moisture not only on the pipe, but in the surrounding areas. Likewise, making sure that your refrigerator is running smoothly not only prevents it from leaking, but will save electricity. Make sure that you defrost your fridge once in a while, and clean up any water leakage as soon as possible. If possible, clean under and behind your fridge. Not only will this prevent water damage, but it will make your kitchen more sanitary. So remember to check on the places in your house where contact which is going to constantly have contact with water, and don't assume that these places are water proof. Even when you're not in the market to sell your house quite yet, it is this routine water damage restoration that not only increases the value of your house, but keeps your home safe and water damage free!
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