The thought of fire damage occurring to your home is terrifying, but as damaging as fire can be, water damage is equally destructive. It only takes a few inches of water in areas where it isn’t supposed to be to cause extensive and expensive damage. Water damage can weaken your home from the structure to the foundation and in some situations; it can cause damages to your home that are beyond affordable repair. The good news is that you can actually take preventive steps to protect your home in Plano, TX from water damage. Paragon Independent Insurance Agency has put together a few tips to help prevent water damage to your home.

Inspect the Roof

The primary purpose of your roof is to keep water out of your house. Neglecting the roof may lead to a wide range of problems, including extensive water damage that may compromise the structure of your home. Most roofs have a typical lifespan of about 20 years, so it’s easy to overlook the risk of potential problems, especially if the roof is still within the period of usability. However, this isn’t always true, weather conditions and nearby trees can damage the shingles. It’s important to periodically inspect the roof for missing, damaged or loose shingles as well as damage to features of the roof, such as the flashing and roof vents.

Keep Gutters Clear

The gutter system is designed to reroute rainwater away from your house, but when they fill with debris, they aren’t able to do their job. When this happens, the rainwater spills over the gutters, flows down the siding and eventually finds its way to the foundation. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential that keep the gutters clean and free from leaves, sticks, and other debris. It’s recommended that the gutters and downspouts be cleaned out at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.

Controlling the risk of water damage at the foundation of your home is just as important as controlling the water at the top of your home. Routinely monitor the foundation and basement of your home by checking for cracks in the foundation, issues with the sump pump and damaged windows. If you notice any problems, it’s critical that you arrange for repairs as soon as possible.

Residents of Plano, TX interested in reviewing and/or updating their current home insurance policy should contact Paragon Independent Insurance Agency.