How to Avoid the Most Common Causes of Major Property Damage

When you’re a homeowner, expecting the worst always pays off in the end. Keeping your house well-maintained and preparing for things that are out of your control (e.g. natural disasters) are the best ways to mitigate or even avoid damage to your property. Inversely, failure to do so can lead to thousands—or sometimes even hundreds—of thousands of dollars in damage, which your home insurance may not cover entirely.

With these things in mind, let’s talk about some of the most common causes of major property damage—and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Plumbing issues

Water damage can be sneaky. Sometimes, it starts with a small leak, then the next thing you know, there is a flood in your house and everything you own is water-logged. But more often than not, you can do something about plumbing issues before it gets worse.

For starters, always address small leaks as soon as possible to prevent them from getting bigger. If there are already signs of water damage in your home (e.g. bubbling paint, water stains on the ceiling, mold), call an experienced plumber immediately to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it gets—hence, time is of the essence when it comes to avoiding water damage.

2. Storms

There is nothing you can do to avoid storms, but there are plenty of ways you can protect your house from storm-related damage. Whether you live in a storm-prone area or not, here are the best ways to mitigate the damage to your home:

• Install storm-resistant windows. These windows are designed to resist strong winds, heavy rainfall, and impact from flying objects. Not only do they keep wind and rain outside, but they are also less likely to shatter in case a stray object hits the glass.
• Buy flood barriers. Even if your area is not prone to floods, it pays to be prepared with a set of flood barriers to prevent water from entering your home. These barriers are adjustable and can fit on any door, helping prevent disastrous water damage during floods.
• Trim trees. Always trim your trees to reduce the risk of branches hitting your house during a storm. If you have a tree that is too close to your foundation, consider relocating it to a farther area in your backyard (or cutting it down entirely).
• Check your roof. Inspect your roof for signs of damage so that you can address them before a storm hits.

3. Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, over $7.2 billion is lost to property damage caused by house fires every year. Worse, house fires cause an average of 2,620 deaths and 11,030 injuries, annua

To protect your home and family from such a tragic event, here are several tips to increase fire safety in your home:

• Ensure that your smoke alarms are always functional; keep a schedule for replacing batteries
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and be sure to replace it once it expires
• Remove lint from your dryer vent regularly
• Have an electrician inspect your wiring for any potential hazards
• Avoid overloading electrical sockets and extension cords
• Turn off and unplug electrical goods when not in use
• Have a fire escape plan
• Clean the fireplace and chimney regularly
• Get rid of faulty electrical appliances
• Use surge protectors
• Keep matches, lighters, and other fire starters out of reach of children
• Ban smoking inside or anywhere near the house
• Reduce clutter as much as possible to prevent fire from spreading faster

If you want to be sure, check with your local fire department if they offer fire safety checks.

4. Theft and vandalism

Perhaps the most frustrating causes of property damage are theft and vandalism. Fortunately, most home insurance policies cover these types of damages. Still, it’s better if it doesn’t happen at all.

The best way to prevent damage from theft or vandalism is to deter criminals from going near your house. You can do this by setting up signs that announce that your house has a security system (security companies often provide these signs for free) and ensuring that security cameras are visible from the street.

To stop more determined criminals, install shatter-proof glass on your windows to prevent entry and limit the amount of damage to your home. Also, reinforce your locks to make it harder to pick or kick down your doors.

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. To avoid major property damage to your home, steer clear of what can cause it in the first place.

Meta title: Most Common Causes of Property Damage and How to Avoid Them

Meta desc: There are many things that can cause major damage to your home. Luckily, there are many ways you can mitigate or avoid them. Read on to learn more.