Water damage is the one thing that NOBODY wants for Christmas. Christmas is a time for family gatherings, festive decorations, and cozy nights by the fire. However, it’s also a time when your home is at increased risk for water damage. Between the cold weather and the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, it’s easy to overlook potential hazards. At Baxter Construction Restoration and Cleaning, we want to ensure your holidays remain merry and bright by helping you prevent water-related mishaps. Here are ten essential tips to protect your home from water damage, and prevent you from having a “Nightmare Before Christmas”.
10 Tips to prevent Water Damage this Christmas
Poorly insulated space lead to frozen copper pipe behind the shower.
1. Inspect and Insulate Pipes
Why It Matters: As temperatures drop, pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting, leading to significant water damage. The cold winter weather does not discriminate like “the big man in red does”. Pipes that are exposed to the cold are at risk of freezing whether you are on the naughty or nice list. Frozen pipes are likely to break and lead to Water Damage.
What to Do: Wrap exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or heat tape, especially those in unheated areas like basements and attics. Keep your home’s temperature consistent and consider opening cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation. Most plumbing services will help assist in applying heat tape and other products of that nature.
2. Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Why It Matters: Water will always choose the path of least resistance. It is essential that water is able to drain from your roof efficiently in order to prevent back flow into your attic. Clogged gutters not only make it difficult for that water to get off of your roof, it also can cause it to pool near the foundation of the house. If water pools near your home, you could be at risk of water pooling in a crawlspace or basement. There could also be a risk of damage to the foundation itself.
What to Do: Clean out leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts. Ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Something as simple as cleaning your gutters can save you Thousands of dollars in repairs, and save your insurance premiums from rising.
3. Check Your Roof
Why It Matters: Your roof can handle a lot. Every year, it holds a sleigh, multiple reindeer, and man breaking into your house at 1 am. However, your roof is not invincible. Years of wind damage and small abrasions may have cause small damages or even large damages that you may not be aware of until it is too late. A damaged roof can lead to leaks, especially during heavy rain or snow. Damaged roofs can not only cause water damage, but in the worst cases, we have seen partial and even full roof collapse.
What to Do: Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles and repair them promptly. Remove any accumulated snow to prevent ice dams, which occur when snow melts and refreezes at the roof’s edge, blocking drainage.
4. Maintain Your Sump Pump
Why It Matters: For anyone that may not have one, a sump pump is a pump that sits in a low point of a basement or in some cases, a crawlspace. It has a float that allows it to turn on and off when the water level hits a certain depth on the pump. A malfunctioning sump pump can result in basement flooding, and put you at risk of secondary water damage and mold damage.
What to Do: Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and ensuring it activates. Clean the pump and pit, check the drainage line for blockages, and consider a battery backup for power outages. Check the power chord and the oulet or breaker that it is connected to. If damage is found, It may be in your interest to have it inspected by a plumber, or have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician.
5. Clean up your Landscaping
Why It Matters: This year when you are “Decking the halls” don’t forget to “trim your trees”. Landscaping is not really thought about when it comes to water damage prevention. However, it is one of the easiest factors to eliminate in the terms of water drainage. Improper landscaping can direct water toward your home’s foundation, and lead to moisture accumulation in crawlspaces and basements.
What to Do: Ensure the ground slopes away from your home. Trim back trees and bushes to prevent roots from interfering with your foundation or underground pipes. Remove fallen leaves that can trap moisture, and act as a tinder box in the case of a fire. If you need assistance, most landscaping companies would be happy to assist you.
6. Inspect Windows and Doors
Why It Matters: Your home should be insulated enough that Frosty the snowman dreads stepping foot inside. However, your walls will only hold so much heat if your doors and windows have gaps around the edges. These gaps will not only allow water to find a way into your home during heavy rain and snow. Gaps will also allow cold air into your home, causing the interior temperature of your home to drop like snow out of the sky, and your energy bill to rise like your insurance rates if you don’t protect your home.
What to Do: Check for and seal any cracks or gaps with weatherstripping or caulk. If the weather stripping or caulking has gaps or looks well worn, you may want to look into replacing the weather stripping and installing new caulking. In extreme cases, consider installing storm windows or doors for added protection against the elements.
7. Monitor Your Water Heater
Why It Matters: Not only are hot water heaters one of your best friends after a long day in the cold. They are also one of the leading causes of water loss here in the Yakima Valley. A faulty water heater can leak and cause significant water damage. These losses are often small and can go unnoticed for a while due to the fact that most people place them out of site in the home. When these leaks go unnoticed the chances of water damage, mold damage and replacing your hot water heater go up.
What to Do: Regularly inspect your water heater for signs of rust, corrosion, or leaks. Flush the tank annually to remove sediment buildup. Consider replacing units older than 10-15 years. Make sure to consult with a trusted plumber or professional in the industry if you have concerns.
8. Use Smart Home Technology
Why It Matters: Everyone thinks of automating their Christmas lights, but why not apply that process to water damage prevention in your home? Early detection of leaks can prevent extensive water damage. Moisture sensors can be an affordable tool in the fight against unwanted water in your home. These sensors can notify you when the darkest corner of the home has excess moisture. Not only can it save you time and give you peace of mind, it can save you money. With water damage, time is not on your side, so the faster you are notified of excess water, the easier the fix can be.
What to Do: Install smart watersensors near potential problem areas like basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. These devices alert you to leaks before they become major issues. When you set out milk and cookies this year, consider setting some moisture detectors as well.
9. Be Mindful of Holiday Decorations
Why It Matters: For some families, an artificial tree just doesn’t cut it. The biggest difference between an artificial tree and a real tree in terms of water damage is, you need to water a real tree. The basins that hold the water for the tree have a risk of leaking and releasing unwanted water onto your floor. On top of potential leaks, real trees run a higher risk of catching your home on fire. Even small fires can send smoke throughout the entire home causing damage to all contents and interior of the home.
What to Do: When using live trees, ensure they are well-watered to prevent drying and potential fire hazards. Avoid overloading electrical outlets, which can lead to short circuits and possible water-related electrical damage. Lastly, have a fire extinguisher nearby and easily accessible.
10. Plan for Travel
Why It Matters: Most people don’t forget their 8 year old when going on vacation like the parents in Home Alone, but they do tend to forget to winterize the house before leaving! Unattended homes are at higher risk for unnoticed water damage. These kinds of damages can be far worse than normal because of how long they can be unaddressed. Wine and cheese age well and water damage does not.
What to Do: If you’re traveling for the holidays, turn off the main water supply and drain pipes to prevent freezing. Have a trusted neighbor or friend check your home periodically, and provide them with a contact list in case of emergencies.
Conclusion
By taking these proactive steps, you can enjoy peace of mind and focus on what truly matters during the holiday season: spending quality time with loved ones, and being grateful for the life we have been given. This year don’t let unexpected water damage steal your Christmas. Take the proper steps before disaster strikes and damages snowball out of control.
From all of us here at Baxter Construction Restoration and Cleaning. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Home Insurance Claims can save your bacon, but they can also cost you! There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to home/business owners, their choice to purchase an insurance policy, and more importantly when to use it. If you are like the majority of home owners, a shiny or more preferably, a dusty old insurance policy is like a “get out of jail free card” when it comes to a loss in your home. However, in most cases this could not be further from the truth!
I have been paying insurance for Fifteen years. Why shouldn’t I make an Insurance claim now?
Every homeowner ever
Why Do You Have a Policy?
City water mainline broke and flooded a residential crawlspace with over 75000 gallons of water!
There is a big misconception amongst homeowners with what insurance is and when it is appropriate to make an Insurance claim. Your policy is there to protect you and your investments when things do not go as planned. An example of this would be a sudden break in a pipe leading to a water loss in your home. Another example would be if you’re cooking dinner and a grease fire sets your kitchen ablaze. Now if you take a step back, you may think, “this is exactly what I thought my policy was for already.” The key factor with deciding if it is a good idea to make a claim is the magnitude of the loss.
“Policy holders jump the gun when they see a puddle of water in their basement. They are eager to cash in on the policy that they pay for and hurt financially in the end.” – Over 20 different Agentshave actually told us this!
Improper window installation leads to wet floor, sheetrock, and insulation. This loss will likely lead to mold growth if left alone.
Not every tool should be used for every job. If you see somebody fixing your refrigerator with a hammer, you may need to ask them a few questions. Having a policy is an amazing tool for any homeowner, but it is not a “one size fits all” tool. If you make an insurance claim too quickly, you may find yourself in a worse situation down the road! Even small Insurance claims can add future costs to your premiums and in the worst cases can make you ineligible for renewing your policy! Now you have to shop for new insurance AND your home is still damaged and needing repairs!
When Should You File an Insurance Claim?
Floods are not just in Florida. Large residential water losses are far more common than you would expect.
There is no “cookie cutter” answer for when you should make a claim. However, most Insurance Agents will tell you, “not to make an insurance claim if the loss not at least 3-4 times the cost of your deductible.” Obviously, everyone has a different deductible cost as well as their unique financial situation, so sometimes that number could be hard to imagine. The safest bet would be to talk to your agent before making a decision to open a claim, they are the experts after all.
How Do You Decide if Your Loss is Worthy of an Insurance Claim?
Poorly insulated wires can cause major damage and can be a risk to your safety, especially in older homes.
Aside from your entire septic system filling your 3 story home, or being able to see your back yard through the charred remains of your living room, it can be hard to navigate between feelings and rational thought in the moment. How do wake up at 3am see your toilet overflowing and decide, “yeah, this is 3 times my deductible”? The answer is, most people can’t. Damages on the surface are normally just the beggining of the problems. The best way for you as a Policy Holder is to have a someone experienced and proficient in the field of emergency mitigation conduct a meticulous and thorough inspection.
Where Do You Find a Mitigation Expert?
Brice Baxter (Founder, CEO and IICRC Certified Master Water, Fire and Smoke Restorer) leading the weekly safety meeting
Finding a professional in the area can be challenging in a time of crisis. Not because due to a Lack of companies willing to do the work, but due to having to weed through all of your options, and picking the company that has your best interest in mind as well as being someone you trust. When you are looking for a company to work with you need to be looking for a few key aspects.
1. Response Time
When your home suffers a loss that requires mitigation work, time is your biggest enemy. With water damage, even a couple of hours can be the difference of multiple hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This means, finding someone that is willing and ready to get to you even when it is inconvenient.
2. Certification and Standards
Certification and Standards- The IICRC is the nationally recognized standard for mitigation training and they set the rule book for what your insurance adjuster is going to follow when it comes to handling your insurance claim. It is Imperative that who ever is working in your home is familiar with these: rules, guidlines, and standards covered in these certification courses. Without the proper training and Documentation, restoration costs can go up tremendously, and in most cases at the cost of the customer.
3. Customer Service-
When you are dealing with any size of loss in your own home, the last thing you need to worry about is Company XYZ coming into your home, tearing a wall down, leaving a mess, say goodbye, and send you a bill with no explanation. On top of that, you need to talk to your insurance, then try to explain to them what happened because Company XYZ did not bother to document the project. It is important for you to find the Mitigation team that will take care of you in your time of need. That means:
Taking extra steps to make sure that your home is clean and safe for you and your family.
Keeping clear channels of communication between Mitigation Techs and Homeowners.
Contacting the Adjuster in charge of your Insurance Claim, so that you can focus on the more important details of your fast paced life.
Giving the level of service and knowledge where you can trust the people working in your home.
4. Quality and Integrity-
When it comes to your home, safety, sanity and money, you do not want any second thoughts. No matter what size of project you have, you should never have any doubts about the people in your home, how they are going to treat your personal contents, wonder if it will be safe for you to be there, or have to question the final product. From the very first day, effective communication needs to be established. You should be greeted by a knowledgeable team that can efficiently walk you through the process, and answer any questions that you have. The final product should be satisfactory to You, the Team, and all other parties involved.
5. A Working Network of the Trades-
Believe it or not, not everyone will think of this when looking for a restoration company to help them. While Mitigation teams may be able to cover a wide variety tasks, at least one time in the project, they will probably need to look for help for problems outside of the scope of their skills or certifications. A quality business needs to have a network of trusted companies that will bring the same level of quality to your home that they themselves offer. This network would include, but is not limited to: Electricians, Plumbers, Abatement Companies, and Landscapers.
Where Do I Go From Here?
There are always options in your area when it comes to picking a Mitigation team. Generally insurance companies will give you a few options to choose from. The choice then is yours. When you are thinking of opening an Insurance claim, please consider all of the key factors! When you are waste deep in Water, Minutes can feel like hours and hours can feel like days. Pick the business that you feel most comfortable with, but always get an Inspection before opening a claim. Baxter Construction will inspect anywhere in Yakima County at no cost. Call and schedule today. You may save yourself thousands of dollars and keep your premiums from raising!
“Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face”.
People get home insurance so they can prepare for the worst, but no one really expects it to happen to them.
Water losses, fire damages and many other kinds of tragedies hit home owners all across America every day, but what are you supposed to do when it happens? Who is going to help you? Why should these people help you versus another company?
The Bottom Line
At Baxter Construction we spend countless hours preparing and studying the newest techniques in water, fire, smoke, mold, and even trauma mitigation.
When you call with a job for us, our 24/7 team wastes no time in making our way to your home or business. You are greeted by our fully IICRC certified team of technicians and they get to work. We make sure that any source of damage is stopped as soon as possible and mitigate the problem as efficiently as possible. When it comes to water damage, time is not on your side, so it is our mission to mitigate the situation and do it fast.
At Baxter Construction, we spare no expense to have the best equipment possible so that we can be in and out of your home as efficiently as we can, while making you and your family as comfortable as possible with the whole process.
If you are like most people, you will have questions throughout the entire process, and our highly experienced team is more than able and willing to get you any answer to the questions you have. After all mitigation work is complete, we have a full custom cabinet shop and a full repair crew to put your home or business back in order.
Prepared 24/7 to respond within minutes of your call.
Mitigate
We mitigate damage with industry-leading tools and experience.
Restore
Our certified professionals are skilled in restoring and protecting your property.
Testimonials
I absolutely LOVE the kitchen! It is so beautiful. My mom and I just stare at it all the time. I am so grateful for all you help throughout the project and for all the beautiful work the Baxter guys have done.
