5 Tips for Household Plumbing and Flooring Problems

Plumbing and flooding problems are becoming more and more common as homes age, and even more as they are put in precarious plots of land due to lack of space. When they occur, they are often very problematic, causing a ton of headaches and potentially serious damage to one's home and belongings. These tips can help to minimize the damage done when water finds its way inside, and can save a lot of stress and even more money when used.

Appliance Overflow: When a washing machine or toilet overflows, it is a pretty big annoyance. They aren't usually too serious, but can be a real pain to clean up. If it happens to you, line up used absorbent materials like towels and blankets to keep the wet area confined. This will assist in making it easier to dry up.

Frozen Pipes: In cold weather climates, frozen pipes are both common and serious. If they burst, it can create major flooding within hard-to-get-to spots inside your home. To prevent frozen pipes, try turning on your faucets on the coldest nights, just enough for the tap to drip steadily and keep water flowing within the pipes. If a section of your pipes is already frozen, and you can reach it, use a hair dryer set on high to get them flowing again.

Holes in Roofing: When a storm damages your roof, the only real option is to have a professional roofing company come in and fix it. But if you need a quick, temporary fix, use a tarp. By stapling or nailing to the shingles surrounding the hole, you can give yourself a bit of time to call a roofer.

Minor Roof Leaks: When you have a small steam of water coming down a rafter or wall during rainstorms, it may seem relatively minor. But that water, if it comes in repeatedly, can do significant damage to the structures within your home. To temporarily fix it, tack a rag to the rafter or wall where it leaks, and have it lead into a bucket. This will stop the water from pooling and divert it into the bucket.

Major or Multiple Leaks: When a heavy storm comes through and the roof springs one major or several minor leaks, setting buckets under them isn't the best option. To save your flooring, tack or tape a large tarp to the walls of the room the leaks are in about two or three inches above the ground. This will pool the water in the center and keep it from ruining the baseboards and floor.