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Water damage is often one of the costliest and most troublesome problems which can plague a homeowner. It can destroy almost everything in a home from hardwood to carpet to expensive or valued possessions, and can take months to fix. But still it remains a problem that few people put much thought into until it becomes too late. Thankfully it is usually possible to avert this type of damage by taking the proper precautions. Below are five simple and easy precautions one can take to drastically reduce the risk of one's home being damaged, and save a large amount of money, time, and anguish.

Keep All Appliances Updated

Make sure all your appliances that use water, like a washing machine or hot water heater, are relatively new, as old ones are prone to breaking and malfunctioning. It is generally wise to replace appliances approximately once every ten years. Don't wait to replace it until it blows out and it becomes too late.

Regularly Inspect Hoses

One of the most frequent ways that damage is caused is a malfunctioning hose. Fortunately this is an easy problem to avoid. Be sure to check all the hoses attached to your appliances on a regular basis for breaks, holes, bulges, or kinks. If any of these are found the hose must be replaced immediately. This is usually very cheap and easy to do. It may be better to switch away from rubber hoses altogether and replace all your hoses with more durable stainless steel ones.

Shut Off Appliances When Gone

Never leave the house while a dishwasher or washing machine is still running. Usually if you are at home and something goes wrong with an appliance's operation, you will be able to notice and shut it off before any real damage is done. If you leave these running while away, what could have been a simple problem to avert can turn into a huge mess and a large amount of damage done by the time you get home.

Upper Level Appliances

Take extra precautions when it comes to air conditioners, dehumidifiers, or anything else with water that is kept on top the roof or inside the attic. Unlike a basement appliance, which if it leaks will probably only do damage to its immediate area, a rooftop or attic appliance will allow water to seep all the way down through walls and floors, damaging everything in its path. Rooftop appliances are even more dangerous because of their constant exposure to weathering and destructive elements. These should always be checked annually and repaired immediately if any problems are noticed.

Install Water Alarms

Almost everyone has the foresight to install smoke detectors, but few people consider a water alarm, which works on the same principle. This is a simple device that can alert you to water leakage, enabling you to stop the problem before it becomes a major disaster. It is usually no harder to install than hooking up a garden hose to a nozzle would be.

Water damage can largely be prevented simply by using these simple methods. You will save greatly on money, time, and personal frustration by being proactive. Even if you do not foresee any problems, these easy measures are a highly preferable alternative to finding an unexpected problem and having to deal with it afterward.

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