Your home is your castle, in a sense. It’s your sanctuary, your safe haven. That’s why when it’s damaged, you can feel as if it’s taking damage, too.
While a little mark or ding here or there doesn’t hurt as much, other situations can take a worse toll. You’ve likely heard about or experienced situations when a severe weather storm or other accident results in property damage.
What can you do to prevent damage to your property? Read on for the 7 causes of property damage and how to prevent them.
1. Nonweather-Related Water Damage
There are many examples of nonweather-related water damage. One common example is damage from a burst pipe. A broken or leaky pipe can let water loose inside your home, causing serious damage to your walls, ceilings, and floors.
You may also suffer water damage if your washing machine, dishwasher, or another appliance breaks and begins to leak water. Even a small leak can cause a lot of damage if it goes unnoticed for a long time.
Another example of nonweather-related water damage is damage from sewage backup. If your home’s sewage system backs up, sewage water can enter your home and contaminate your clean water supply.
There are many ways to protect your home from nonweather-related water damage. To start, you can create a waterproof barrier around your home by sealing any cracks or gaps in the foundation, walls, and roof.
You can also install a backwater valve to prevent sewage and floodwaters from entering your home. In addition, you can redirect downspouts and gutters away from your home, and install a sump pump to remove water from your basement or crawl space.
2. Wind
The wind is one of the most common causes of damage to homes and other structures. It can damage roofs, windows, doors, and any other part of the home that is exposed to the elements.
There are several ways to protect your home from wind damage. Securing loose items around your home, such as patio furniture, can help prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
Trimming trees and shrubs around your home can also help, as the wind can cause them to topple over and damage your property. Installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows and doors can also help protect your home from wind damage.
3. Property Damage Caused by Hail
Hail is another common cause of property damage and can cause significant damage to your home if you live in an area that is prone to severe weather. There are a few things you can do to protect your home from hail damage. These include installing impact-resistant windows and roofs and making sure your gutters and downspouts are in good repair.
You should also have a plan in place for what to do if a hail storm does occur. This includes preparing to cover any exposed areas of your property. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help to protect your home from the devastating effects of hail.
4. Weather-Related Water Damage
This can include damage from storms, floods, and even simple things like heavy rains or snow melting. To protect your home from weather-related water damage, it’s important to take some simple precautions.
First, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and in good condition. This will help keep water from pooling around your home.
Second, seal any cracks or holes in your foundation or exterior walls. This will help keep water from seeping into your home.
Finally, if you know a severe storm is coming, take the time to move any valuables or sensitive items to a safe, dry location. By taking some simple steps, you can help protect your home from weather-related water damage.
5. Thefts and Break-Ins
There are a few things you can do to protect your home from damage caused by thefts and break-ins. One is to make sure all your doors and windows are locked. It might also be a good idea to invest in an alarm system.
You can also make your home less inviting to criminals by trimming back bushes and trees around your house so burglars have nowhere to hide. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your neighborhood and report it to the police if you see anything suspicious.
Getting insurance coverage for damages like thefts and break-ins is always a good idea. Get in touch with this home insurance company to learn more.
6. Pests
Pests can enter your home through small cracks and crevices, and once they’re inside, they can cause a lot of damage. They can chew through wires and insulation, and they can also spread disease.
To protect your home from pests, you should inspect it for any signs of damage and seal any cracks and crevices that you find. You should also keep your home clean and clutter-free, as pests are attracted to food and garbage. If you do find pests in your home, you should call a pest control company to remove them.
7. Bad DIY Projects
Homeowners who take on projects they are not qualified to do often end up causing more damage than they fix. This is particularly true when it comes to electrical and plumbing work. Even something as innocuous as painting or hanging shelves can cause damage if not done right.
To protect your home from damage caused by bad DIY projects, only tackle projects you feel confident you can do yourself. If you are unsure about something, hire a professional.
It is also important to have the proper tools and supplies for the job. Don’t try to make do with what you have lying around the house—this is often where accidents happen.
Also, take your time and be very careful. Rushing a job or cutting corners will only increase the chances of something going wrong.
Protect Your Property from These Damages
Many things can cause property damage to your house. Fortunately, there are also lots of ways to protect your property from these things. You can get insurance to help cover the cost of damage, and you can take measures to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Keep checking out our blog for more tips on protecting your home, as well as other interesting ideas!
