Something I’ve learned after 30+ years in the water damage industry?

Sometimes water damage can’t be avoided.

But often, it can.

So whether you’ve got a mountain of home projects this summer or just a few to-dos you can knock out on a Saturday afternoon, I wanted to tell you about 4 things you should definitely have on your home maintenance list.

These 4 tasks are a great way to guard your home against potential water and mold damage in the future. The best part? They’re really easy to check off.

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Clean your gutters.​
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   📅 When? Twice a year (spring and fall)
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   🤔 Why? When your gutters are clogged, water can’t drain properly – which means it can leak into your home and cause damage to your ceilings, walls, and foundation. Keeping your gutters clean protects your home not only during the rainy seasons, but also during the cold winter months when ice dams are common.
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2. Clean out your dishwasher filter.​
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   📅 When? Once a month
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   🤔 Why? Your dishwasher filter – that little component under your bottom rack responsible for trapping food particles and debris – can get clogged if it isn’t cleaned regularly. This can cause sneaky leaks behind your dishwasher you may not notice for awhile. If those leaks go undetected for too long, they can cause severe water and mold damage that is very expensive to repair.​
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3. Check the corners and edges of your foundation for water damage.​
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   📅 When? Once a month
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   🤔 Why? Over time, even a little bit of moisture in your basement can do a lot of damage. Look for signs like water spots, stained or blistering walls, deteriorating carpet or flooring, condensation, and mold.​
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4. Know where your water shutoff valve is (and how to turn it off!).​
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   📅 When? Anytime you move to a new home
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   🤔 Why? If a pipe bursts in your home, or if you experience a severe water leak from your dishwasher or washing machine, cutting off the water supply early can help minimize damage until help arrives. Usually, the water shutoff valve is located near your water heater or laundry room.

Questions? Want more info?

I’m just a phone call or an email away.
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Take good care,
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Stephen
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PS If you’d rather have a professional handle all the home maintenance stuff for you — one person you can call for regular inspections, needed maintenance, and emergency repairs — you might be interested in Umpire’s sister company, Partnerbunch.

I'm launching the new Partnerbunch website soon with all the details, so hit reply if you want more info, and I'll send you the link when it's live.

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