Flooding is something no homeowner wants to deal with. It’s messy, it’s stressful, and it’s expensive to repair. Many homeowners take preventative measures, like installing sump pumps or improving drainage, to prevent water from entering their home in the first place.
But that’s easier said than done when you don’t know where potential problem spots lie. Where do you start? What do you focus on? Let’s look at what areas of your home are most at risk of flooding and why, plus what you can do to lower the risk of them going underwater.
That Awesome Finished Basement
Since basements are below ground, they’re prime targets for water seeping through the soil. If your yard doesn’t drain properly, water makes a beeline for your foundation. You need to waterproof your finished basement if you want to maximize your usage of it, otherwise those nice carpets and furniture could get waterlogged before you have a chance to use them!
The Heart of the Home: The Kitchen
From the dishwasher to the sink, your kitchen is a hub of water activity. A tiny drip from an old pipe or a leaky dishwasher hose can quickly escalate into a full-blown flood, wrecking your cabinets and floors. Making it a habit to check under your sink for any signs of moisture and inspect your appliance hoses for cracks or bulges can save you thousands in potential water damage repairs.
The Ever-Misty Bathroom
From the kitchen, let’s head to another water-heavy zone. Bathrooms are built for water, but that doesn’t make them flood-proof. Overflowing toilets, worn-out shower seals, and bursting pipes under the sink are all too common. Because we expect bathrooms to be wet, it’s easy to miss a small leak until it has already caused serious damage to the subfloor or the ceiling below.
The Hardworking Laundry Room
Think about how much water your washing machine uses. Those supply hoses are under constant pressure, and if one gives out, it can unleash a shocking amount of water in minutes. To make matters worse, floor drains in laundry rooms often get clogged with lint, leaving the water with nowhere to go but all over your floor. Swapping out standard rubber hoses for braided stainless steel ones can lower this risk, as they’re more durable and less likely to burst.
The Forgotten Water Heater
Your water heater is probably tucked away, out of sight and out of mind. But don’t underestimate this hidden tank; it holds dozens of gallons of water. If it fails, usually because it rusts out, it can start to leak—and you might not notice for a long time. These sneaky leaks can cause some serious and expensive water damage. The simple preventative solution? Install a drip pan underneath to catch any early signs of trouble.
Protect Your Home Before Water Strikes
These areas of your home are at a high risk of flooding, but that doesn’t mean damage is inevitable! If you take measures to stop flooding, you can keep water from getting in and keep your belongings safe and dry.
