We made it to another new year as we welcome 2022 into our lives for the first time. Despite all the events that occurred in the past two years, it’s an exciting time as we get to look forward to a prosperous and successful new year. We wish you all a happy, healthy, and rewarding 2022!
With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions. Whether or not you partake in it, we believe there are several ‘resolutions’ or habits that you should adopt this year when protecting your home from property damage. It goes a long way in providing a safe environment for all.
What type of property damage are we talking about? Water damage, mold damage, fire and smoke damage, and sewage backup – just to name a few.
If you want to avoid water, fire, smoke, mold, or sewage damage to your home this year – as well as every year beyond that – then there are a variety of things you can start doing today. Let’s take a look at our 10 New Year’s resolutions to help you prevent property damage in 2022.
1. If You Notice a Leak, Fix It Immediately
There are countless reasons why a leak might start in your home. No matter what the cause, time is of the essence once you notice a leak. The longer you wait to get it fixed, the worse it’ll get. The sooner you detect, diagnose, and repair the leak, the less damage you’ll experience.
If you notice a leak in your home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. If you happen to have property damage as a result, contact Restoration 1 of Central Denver – we’re ready to help!
2. Your Appliances Appreciate a Regular Cleaning
Think about all the different appliances and fixtures throughout your home – that’s a lot of appliances. Refrigerators, ovens, stovetops, showers, toilets, sinks, microwave, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher – the list goes on. Maintaining these appliances is important.
Whether it’s lint buildup in the dryer, a small leak from a sink, or a dirty stovetop, these things can act as a catalyst for water and fire damage. Keeping them clean minimizes the risk.
3. Clean Your Gutters & Downspouts Often
Speaking of keeping things clean, don’t forget about your gutters and downspouts. You might not think about them often, but they hold a valuable purpose to your home’s exterior. If not cleaned properly and regularly, they could wreak havoc on the interior of your home – which isn’t good!
If you allow debris and leaves to build-up in the gutters and downspouts, they’ll eventually become clogged. This can lead to puddles forming in places where they shouldn’t be.
4. If You Have Copper Pipes, Upgrade Them
In regards to the plumbing in your home, copper piping has long been the standard and has been used for decades. While there are some benefits of using copper, there are also a ton of drawbacks. That’s why many homeowners today are making the switch to PEX piping.
Most people suggest making this switch the moment you start to notice any corrosion or deterioration in your copper pipes. It’s best to do it then, opposed to waiting for it to get worse.
5. If You Have Trees On Your Property, Maintain Them
Many homeowners in the Denver area have trees somewhere on their property. While they do a lot for the curb appeal and overall ambience of the property, there’s also a lot of maintenance involved. If not properly and regularly maintained, trees can put your home at risk of damage.
For example, tree branches can fall and damage your roof, animals and rodents can gain easy access to the roof, and tree roots can come in contact with water or sewer lines.
6. Test Your Fire Alarm At Least Once Per Month
Everyone has at least one fire alarm in their home and most people have several. If you don’t have one, there’s no better time to get one than right now. If you do have one, it’s important that you’re testing it every month to ensure it’s working properly. All it takes is a couple minutes.
Since fire alarms don’t get a lot of use, it’s easy to forget about them. To ensure a safe environment for you and your loved ones, make it a goal to test it at least once per month.
7. Don’t Leave Candles or Fireplaces Unattended
Many of us have a fireplace in our home and a majority of people enjoy lighting a candle throughout the day. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s important to practice fire safety when lighting a fireplace or candle. It’s one of the leading causes of residential fires in the US.
8. Regularly Inspect Your Roof for Damage
Your roof likely doesn’t receive a lot of attention from you throughout the year. With that being said, it’s a new year and a new you. After you’re done testing your fire alarm, take two minutes to inspect your roof for any damage. Hopefully you don’t find any, but it’s always worth a look!
9. Have an Emergency Plan, Just In Case
Emergencies, tragedies, and disasters often happen in the blink of an eye and normally come without warning. That’s why it’s important to always have an emergency plan set in place. Go over it with your loved ones and ensure everyone’s on the same page – it could save a life!
10. Prepare Your Home When on Vacation
If you plan on leaving your home for an extended period of time, whether it’s for business or pleasure, make sure your home is properly prepared. It’s always best to have a close friend or neighbor check in on your home while you’re gone, just in case anything were to happen.
Contact Restoration 1 of Central Denver Today!
While the New Year’s resolutions listed above go a long way in helping you prevent property damage, nothing is guaranteed in this life. Accidents happen often and disasters are more common than you’d think. With that being said, don’t panic. We’re here to help you through it!
If you need quality fire, smoke, mold, sewage, or water damage restoration in Denver, contact Restoration 1 of Central Denver. We’re the most reliable water damage companies Denver has to offer and we can’t wait to help restore your home or business!