Everything in a house is going to start to wear out at some point in time. Paint is one of the details that you have to consider. As paint ages, it can start to crack and chip, losing its great appearance and no longer protecting the surface that it was applied to. When painting becomes a necessity, it’s important to buy something that has a reputation for lasting a long time under any conditions. It’s important to adopt an attitude of regular maintenance if you’re a property owner. Failure to do so can result in a catastrophic amount of damage to your home and its amenities. One of the most dangerous factors in the safety of the house can lie in its plumbing. If there is a leak in your pipes, your house could be at risk for severe water damage, which is very difficult to manage. First, it’s going to take a lot of cleanups. Second, if you had anything that was precious to you and made out of paper or cardboard, you might have to kiss it goodbye. Next, the drywall in your home is likely going to have to be replaced. Drywall is very susceptible to damage when exposed to water and can cost hundreds of dollars to replace.
The worst part about water damage in a home, however, is that it could damage the foundation of your home. When the foundation of a structure has been damaged by water, it can cost thousands of dollars to repair. A compromised foundation can significantly damage the value of your property. When people lose value on their home, they aren’t just losing money—they might also be losing a major investment in their life.
A primary culprit of water damage is a frozen water line. When water freezes inside of the pipe, it expands and can break your pipe. This is a frequent problem in homes in the far North or cabins in the mountains. When a water line bursts, it can create an incredible amount of flooding in only a matter of minutes. If you live in a particularly cold climate, you should protect your home by shutting off your water main whenever you are leaving for several days or longer. If your waterline has burst, call a company that can handle waterline replacement in Pittsburgh or your local area.
Another major nuisance in wintertime is a blocked drainage pipe. Sometimes drainage pipes are placed very poorly, along the outer walls of the home. When the drainage pipes are exposed to extreme cold temperature, an ice blockage will form. A blockage in the drain pipe of a washing machine can also cause significant flooding. Proper insulation is an excellent way to avoid ice blockages in your home. Insulation is also the most inexpensive way to make your home more energy efficient. Some homes were not built with energy efficiency in mind, and the result can be costly. Every year a home may lose hundreds of dollars in heating and air conditioning.
Every home needs to have its pipe replaced at some point in time. If you’re unsure about the last time the plumbing in your home was looked at, you might want to call a plumber to check things out before you end up needing help with waterline replacement in the Pittsburgh area. When you take the time to maintain your house, you can be that your home will be able to keep you and your family sheltered for years. If you think that your home will be exposed to extreme temperatures this winter, reach out to someone that can help assess the insulation and energy efficiency of your home.