Water damage is one of the most common and costliest disasters your home can experience, costing billions of dollars annually. If your water bills have increased lately, you may have an outdoor leaking problem. Check the leak indicator on your water meter– if it is moving, then most likely you have a leak somewhere.
During the summer months, many cities report that their water customers use more water for outdoor irrigation than inside the house. Therefore, while conserving water indoors is helpful, the larger bang-for-the-buck conservation gains happen outdoors. Visit WaterSense Helpline if you are interested in learning more about saving water and protecting Southern California resources.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 30 percent of total household water use, on average, but can be as much as 60 percent of total household water use in arid regions. As much as 50 percent of the water we use outdoors is lost due to wind, evaporation, and runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn’t properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually.
Leaks From Outdoor Faucets
An outdoor leaking faucet can cause water damage to the exterior of your home as well as leaking into basement windows.
Whether you have a slow leak or a spewing fountain, it should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. Some reasons why outdoor faucet leak:
Prevent Basement Water Seepage
Excess water in your yard can find its way into your home. Take both approaches- lessen the water in the yard and protect your basement. Reseal your basement. Water in the basement is often caused by cracks in building foundations or floor slabs. If you notice water seepage after heavy rain when you’ve never had a problem, it may mean that your once-waterproof cement floors and basement walls have deteriorated. Painting vulnerable areas with water sealant can prevent seepage.
Protect Your Possessions
Store off-season and other bulk belongings in waterproof bins, especially in areas where there are plumbing pipes or that are prone to dampness, such as basements and attics. Keep belongings stored on shelving off the floor in basements. In case of water seepage or sewer backup, they’re less likely to get damaged.
Tips to Tame Outdoor Water Usage
One way to lessen the chance of water damage is to lessen your water usage:
Flood Pro has a 30-year reputation for trusted water damage restoration for protecting homeowners from serious water damage when disaster strikes. If you’re experiencing any type of water damage and are in need of restoration in Mission Viejo, call for a free home inspection. If a pipe bursts or any other water enters the home, call 24/7 for emergency water damage restoration.
Our water damage restoration technicians are trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They will quickly assess the situation to determine the fastest way of drying your property.
