Homeownership is expensive. However, the costs don’t stop just with the purchase. You have to pay to maintain and repair your home to keep it in a livable and safe condition.

When it comes to your home, preventing damage is important. From ensuring your plumbing system is working efficiently to installing and maintaining miniature circuit breakers, keep reading for some of the top things you can do to prevent damage to your home.

Preventing Water Damage

Water damage is often difficult to detect. It’s also expensive if repairs are needed.

Water can get in almost anywhere – surface backups, sewage system issues, leaky pipes, peeling caulk, missing shingles, and more. Be sure you watch for signs of water damage on and around your home.

If you notice mildew or mold on the walls or peeling paint or smell a persistent musty odor, there is probably an issue that needs to be addressed. Consider working with a mold removal company before the mold spreads to other areas of your home.

While this is true, some simple DIY home repairs can help you keep water from getting inside. One is to keep your downspouts and gutters clear, maintain your home’s sump pump and ensure it has a battery backup, and inspect the water supply lines to your washing machine and refrigerator.

If your home has a basement, think about raising your appliances a few inches off the floor. This is going to help you avoid water damage if it does get in. If you already see signs of water damage on your walls or ceiling, call a water damage restoration company as water damage can get expensive quickly if not properly attended to.

Preventing Electrical Related Issues

Electrical-related issues can also cause damage to your home. One of the most common sources of electrical damage is a power surge. When this happens, any connected device will be at risk for damage, no matter its size.

It’s estimated that sources inside your home are responsible for 60 to 80% of all power surges. Because of this, you must take steps to prevent the damage that may occur.

One way to prevent damage from a power surge is by installing a whole-house surge protector. You can also install additional protection for certain devices like your refrigerator or computer.

Other steps you can take to prevent electrical damage in your home include upgrading your air conditioner unit, unplugging sensitive devices during a storm, and inspecting and upgrading your wire when needed. Taking these steps will help you prevent serious electrical damage and reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire.

Preventing Damage Caused by Crime

If vandals or burglars target your home, you may feel helpless and angry. However, you can take steps to prevent property crime. One way to do this is by installing quality lighting featuring security film on windows, strong locks, and motion detectors.

Another benefit of this is that you can save money on your homeowner’s insurance by installing a security system or some other type of safety measure.

Prevent Damage Caused by Wild Animals

Another common cause of damage is wild animals. For example, squirrels can damage the exterior of your home and even cause an electrical fire by chewing on the wires. You can discourage squirrels from doing this with a few DIY fixes. For example, trim the limbs close to your house and block entry holes if you have found squirrels inside your home.

Another problematic pest is raccoons. They can cause all types of damage, such as holes in your siding and torn shingles if they move into your outbuildings or house. You can deter raccoons using electronic or chemical repellents or by trapping them.

Woodpeckers are also a common pest. The persistent hammering on wood surfaces and your home’s siding is something you can’t really ignore. After a woodpecker finds a drilling site, it isn’t easy to get rid of them. Because of this, you need to act right away by installing audio or visual deterrents.

Something you may not realize is causing damage to your home is bats. These are silent housemates that slip into your attic by getting under the soffits. They don’t cause any visible damage, but the droppings can build up and create a health hazard as time passes. It’s best to hire professionals to handle getting rid of bats.

Preventing Damage to Your Home

As you can see from the information above, there are more than a few things you can do to prevent damage to your home. Be sure to take the necessary steps to keep your home safe and damage-free. While it will take time and effort, it will also help you save money over time.

Remember, damage and issues can arise almost anywhere. Remain vigilant and if you notice a problem, act right away to ensure it does not worsen. These are the only ways that you can feel confident your home will remain damage-free or that you will notice and repair the damage before it has the chance to become worse and cost even more to repair.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.