FEATURE: LEAK & FLOOD PREVENTION


Leak prevention Leak prevention always starts with a simple risk assessment of a property. This means assessing and reviewing a home for the surface- level signs and symptoms of a leak, including unusual moisture levels or dampness.


As a homeowner, if you observe water pooling or gathering on surfaces, it’s advisable to check these areas of a home first. Where there’s flaking, darkening, or discolouring on walls or ceilings, this could also indicate water damage. Other surface imperfections, that seem sudden and unexplained, such as bubbling and cracking, could also be signs of an unseen leak. Homeowners should be weary that many signs and symptoms of a leak are not always easy to detect by the eye, and there could be invisible water damage occurring behind walls, ceilings, and the foundations. Not limited to the interior of a


property, homeowners should inspect the exterior walls of a house to see if water has caused any damaged. This would most likely be explained by nearby flooding, severe or extreme weather conditions, or


or pipes are free from debris. Where there is any suspicion of a leak, homeowners should work with professionals


to


immediately. If, for example, any symptoms


investigate are visible within a


even from plumbing failures. Failing a visual inspection of a home’s interior and exterior walls and foundations, a homeowner might be able to notice the presence of a leak based on unusually high- water bills or water usage. If water bills fall outside of an occupant’s usual habits, then there could be an undiagnosed leak within a property.


How to stop a leak from occurring


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The best line of defence against a property leak is to understand the source of a problem. Homeowners can reduce the risks of a leak with proactive housekeeping, which means ensuring that guttering is clear and that any exposed plumbing


property – like discoloured walls – then a homeowners should seek urgent assistance from a professional to react quickly and purposefully to water damage. Leak prevention will minimise the risk of water damage, rather than eliminate it altogether. The more a homeowner understands their property, including its plumbing systems, the more proactively they can treat and inspect suspicious areas where a leak might occur. Homeowners can also take


control of risky areas, by ensuring addressing the areas in a home most likely to suffer from water and moisture build-up. This includes bathrooms and kitchens, where water use in these areas should feel more controlled.


The affects of water Stagnant water, where it builds and grows into dampness and mould, will eventually harm an occupant’s


health, safety, and wellbeing. Dampness and mould can impact others differently, including younger children, or those with sensitive skin, medical issues, or weakened immune systems.


Mould will emit toxic allergens into the atmosphere, which will quickly become circulated into the air, dispersing across different rooms in a house. Where these are inhaled too regularly or touched, medical conditions can worsen, including asthmatic attacks.


Always take immediate action


where preventative measures fail. In consultation with experts, homes can be treated for mould, traces of moisture and dampness with professional detection and removal equipment.


It’s time for professional help when the symptoms of a leak become disruptive, or where there is suspicion of water damage. Expert treatment is critical, which is where reliable leak detection services minimise all risks associated with water and property damage.


• For more information please visit www.restorations-uk.com


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JANUARY 2022 DIY WEEK 23


JANUARY 2022 DIY WEEK 23


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