What? A pipe burst again? Don’t let it ruin your house. Your brand new plastic paint is too precious to be corroded by water leakage. This is for a time when calling the HDB plumber is not always feasible. Yes, there are ways that let you protect your house from water damage and the eventual losses that are very homeowner’s nightmare. Follow the steps written here to prevent your home from turning into a soggy pile of mess. First things first, let’s check the outside of your home:

1. Turn Off The Hoses

Your garden areas may pose a huge risk of water leakage to your basements and ground floor including the porch area and the staircase that leads to the lower ground attic or storage areas. Many people are fond of gardening in Singapore but only a few pay attention to running water and taps which are the leading causes of water seepage. So turn off those taps and disconnect all your hoses before the water ruins all your walls and wood work.

2. Gutter Cleaning Is Serious Business

All your down spouts and gutters and drains should be cleaned thoroughly at least twice a year. This one chore should not be taken lightly. Do this to avoid blockage and deposits that eventually cause water to get clogged in all your plumbing system and your drain pipes. Understand that standing water can cause more damage to your roof, walls, and could even reach the foundation of your house if not paid attention to in due time. Moreover unmanaged overflow may also create puddles and walking around them is not a thing you want to get used to.

3. Maintain Trees And Vegetation

Like I said, with everyone on a green spree, families in Singapore are not that behind after all. Many of us have grown fond of trees, gardens full of shrubs and plants. These can be a beautiful thing to look at and also contribute largely to our environment but to let them run wild and unattended is a big NO. A big tree or a shrub that is too old for your garden area could cause problems in the long run as they would develop and grow roots big enough to wrap around your pipes and even break them. Therefore timely landscaping is advised to minimize potential harm to utility pipes and fittings. If necessary, don’t hesitate from removing those trees and shrubs that have grown too big over time.

4. Rains Are Not The Enemy

Yes, don’t blame the clouds for your damp walls. If you too dread the rains like any other family living in your neighborhood, chances are that you have never explored sealants that work well to waterproof your home against dampness and mold. Majority of exterior paints used on buildings and homes are permeable i.e. they allow water to seep into your house. Therefore, to prevent seepage, there are many exterior waterproofing coats that can be used. A waterproof coat creates a barrier to the rain water and moisture, and prevents your walls from going damp.

Same applies to your terrace or the roof of your home as well. It is also very much exposed to harsh weather and water can easily accumulate on its surface which results in leakage and damp patches. Thus silicone based water proofing agent will come in handy more than you realize. Tune in next time to know about what you can do to prevent water damage in your interior walls.