Living in Rogers, AR, comes with its own set of weather-related risks, one of which is the potential for water damage. Because of this, it’s important to take some preventative steps to help protect your home from water damage.
Although the city has minor risks of flooding over the next 30 years, as per data, there is always a water damage potential occurring in your home from other sources, such as heavy rains, burst pipes, or leaks.
What Is Water Damage?
Water damage is the term to describe when water enters your home and causes harm to the structure or contents of the property. This can happen from various sources, both inside and outside the home.
Common causes of water damage include:
- Heavy rains
- Flooding
- Leaking pipes or appliances
- Sewage backup
- Burst pipes
Categories of Water Damage
- Clean water: This type of water comes from sanitary sources, such as a broken pipe or faucet. If not treated quickly, clean water can turn into category 2 or 3. So even though the water may start out clean, it can quickly become contaminated.
- Gray water: This type of water is highly contaminated and can cause serious health issues. Gray water comes from toilet bowl overflow, washing machine overflow, or dishwasher leakage sources.
- Black water: It is the most hazardous water damage type you can ever encounter. Black water is stagnant water that contains sewage, chemicals, or other contaminants. Floodwater is considered black water. If you come into contact with this type of water, it can cause serious health problems.
What Are The Risks of Water Damage?
A few risks come with water damage, both to your home and to your health.
Firstly, water damage can cause serious harm to the structure of your home. When water seeps into cracks in walls or floors, it can cause them to weaken and even collapse. In addition, water can cause mold to grow, which can further damage your home and pose a serious health risk.
Mold growth is of significant concern because it can lead to respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Mold exposure can also cause other health problems, such as skin irritation, headaches, and fatigue.
In addition to the risks to your home and health, water damage can also be expensive to repair. The expenses for the repairs depend on the extent of the damage, but you can expect to pay hundreds to even thousands of dollars for water damage repairs.
How Can I Prevent Water Damage?
The good news is that there are a few steps you can take to help prevent water damage from occurring in your home as follows:
1. Install a Sump Pump
This is a device that helps remove water from your home. It’s installed in the lowest part of your home, and it pumps water out of your home when the water level gets too high.
2. Install Check Valves
Check valves help prevent sewage from backing up into your home. When installed properly, they allow wastewater to flow out of your home, but they don’t let it flow back in.
3. Install a Backwater Valve
A backwater valve is similar to a check valve, but it’s installed in your sewer line. This valve helps prevent sewage from flowing back into your home through the sewer line.
4. Disconnect Downspouts
Downspouts are the pipes carrying rainwater from your gutters to the ground. You can disconnect them from your gutters and redirect the water away from your home. This will help keep water from pooling around your home and causing foundation problems.
5. Fix Leaks and Drips
Leaks and drips may seem like minor problems, but they can cause a lot of damage over time. Ensure to fix any leaks or drips as soon as you notice them.
6. Prepare for Flooding
Though Rogers, AR isn’t in a high-risk flood zone, it’s still a good idea to be prepared. Remember, Arkansas is still the most flood-prone state in the country. You can take a few steps to prepare for flooding, such as:
- Elevating your furnace, water heater, and electric panel to at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation in your area.
- Installing check valves in sewer traps to avoid backflow.
- Anchoring fuel tanks.
- Having a licensed electrician raise electrical sockets, switches, and wiring at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation in your area.
- Installing flood vents in the foundation of your home.
- You can also buy flood insurance to help protect your home from water damage. However, make sure your insurance policy covers flooding.
Also, create an emergency kit and have a plan in place. Your emergency kit should include:
- Three days’ supplies of non-perishable food and water
- A battery-operated radio
- A flashlight
- First-aid supplies
- Extra batteries
- Clothing and bedding for each family member
- Essential documents, such as insurance policies, in a waterproof container
You should also have a plan for what you’ll do if you need to evacuate your home. This plan must include a designated meeting place for your family and an evacuation route.
7. Contact a Water Damage Restoration Company
If you’ve already experienced water damage, it’s essential to contact a water damage restoration company as soon as possible. These companies specialize in repairing water damage, and they can help you get your home back to normal (learn more here).
Prevention Is Always the Best Option
This sounds like a no-brainer, but the most effective way to deal with water damage is to avoid it from happening in the first place. By taking a few precautionary measures, you can help keep your home and family safe from water damage. However, if the damage has occurred, contact a reputable water damage restoration company near you if you have any questions, such as these water restoration Rogers experts. They’re your go-to people to help you protect your home from water damage.