Common Home Disasters and How to Avoid Them

There are many types of disasters that could strike your home at the least-expected moments. By preparing yourself and finding the best ways to prevent these disasters, you’ll have a better chance of keeping your home safe from harm’s way. Here are some common home disasters and ways that you can avoid them.

Fires

A fire can start in a home for a variety of reasons. Many fires are linked to old or faulty electrical systems that have been neglected. Fires can also start when stoves and ovens are left on for too long unattended. Cigarettes are another cause of some home fires. The Spruce lists candles and chemical fires as other possible causes of home fires. To avoid a fire in your home, you’ll want to have your electrical system inspected, repaired and updated thoroughly and have any old or damaged wires replaced. Cooking appliances and other household items that run on power and generate heat should not be allowed to run too hot and should be checked regularly. Cigarettes and other flammable objects should be disposed of properly and not thrown into trash bins or on the ground when lit.

Indoor Flooding

Broken pipes and other plumbing system components are among the main culprits of indoor flooding. Clogged drains and toilets often cause water to back up into a home and damage floors, walls and other structures. Natural disasters, such as heavy rainstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes, can also cause extensive indoor flooding that wreaks devastation on your home. One of the best ways to prevent indoor flooding is to have your old and damaged pipes and other plumbing system components repaired or replaced so that water won’t start to leak. Drains should be unclogged with a liquid plumbing agent or by a professional plumber who can use specialized tools to remove tough clogs. Basement waterproofing products work well in keeping basements safe from flood damage. Flood barriers can be placed at the bottoms of doors and around the edges of windows to keep outdoor flood water from getting into your home.

Pest Damage

Bugs, rodents and birds are among the pests that are commonly known to cause home damage. These critters can leave droppings that make your living space more hazardous because of the germs and other harmful components that are contained in them. Some pests are also known to chew through wires, floorboards and other areas of a home and can leave you with major damages. Insulation materials are often used by bugs and rodents to make their nests and birth their offspring. To keep pest damage at bay, you may need to hire a professional exterminator to eliminate your pests. You can also try setting traps and putting poisonous bait in areas where pests typically congregate. Missing roof shingles and other openings in high-up places can provide entrance ways for birds to enter parts of your home and do their damage, and these openings should be sealed. It’s also best not to leave any excessive items or debris sitting in your yard to avoid attracting more pests.

House Shifting

If your home’s foundation is damaged, your house is more at risk from shifting out of place. Your entire home might slide off its foundation after an intense rainstorm that causes flooding. Part of the bottom of your home may also sink into the ground, resulting in further structural damage. In addition to damage to your home’s structure itself, your pipes and electrical components can become damaged from your home shifting, and this can lead to even bigger problems. To keep your house from shifting out of place, you’ll want to have any damage to your foundation repaired as soon as possible. All cracks in your home’s foundation should be sealed thoroughly so that water doesn’t leak into them and cause more extensive damage. Home shifting or settling isn’t always so obvious, but cracks in basement walls or sags or humps in your roof could indicate that you have this problem.

Home disasters aren’t always preventable, but knowing what to look for can help you take the necessary precautionary measures to minimize any damages or avoid a home disaster altogether. Keeping your home out of harm’s way can preserve your structure for much longer so that you and your family can continue living in ideal conditions.