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Be Water Wise Around The Home                                                                                  ​September 2015

Gary Gramling
CREIA Certified Inspector

Water is absolutely essential to our everyday lives. Our bodies need it for us to function. We need water in our homes for drinking, bathing, laundry and more. But, when water starts to run amuck, it can be one of the most dangerous forces to our homes; and, by extension, our lives.

To prevent some of the damage that is possible, you need to be proactive; not, reactive. A few simple things you can do to prevent or minimize damage:

Find the main water shutoff valve. In addition to the shutoff at the water meter, there is usually a shutoff at the house, frequently in the garage.  When you find it, look at it. Is it old? Is it corroded? Does it work? If the first two answers are yes; or, if it is not working, now is the time to replace it…before you have trouble.
Now, look at the individual shutoff valves for all of the faucets inside the house. Ask the same three questions. If the answers are wrong, have a plumber change those valves, too.
Look at the hoses on your washing machine. If they are old or made of rubber, replace them with braided stainless steel hoses. Rubber hoses have proven to be undependable and will burst without warning.
Look at your water heater. Are the pipes or valves corroded?  Is there rust along the bottom of the heater tank?  Look at the manufacturer’s label to see how old the heater is. Most manufacturers suggest that their heaters will function for about 12 to 15 years.  I see them working beyond that; but, I wouldn’t bet my home on it.
If you have rain gutters, get up on the ladder and check them. Are they clean; or, are they clogged with debris? Do the downspouts empty onto the ground next to the foundation?  Clogged rain gutters can cause water to overflow the rim of the gutter, sometimes discharging water under the roofing material and starting to rot the sheathing. Downspouts that discharge next to the foundation can weaken the structure over time.
Are your sprinklers shooting the walls of your house? Everyday? Look at the wall. Is the stucco beginning to wash away? Are there signs of moisture on the wall hours after the sprinklers have turned off?  Both of these are signs of possible moisture intrusion into the framed wall, potentially causing wood rot or mold inside, where you can’t see it.

All of the above are problems with simple solutions if you catch them early enough. And, the money saved by looking for these potential problems early will pay for any needed repairs many times over.