Not only is water damage a hassle to deal with, but there may be long-term impacts on your home, one of them being mold. This is a common side effect of water damage, because it begins to grow and flourish within 24–48 hours of exposure to moisture.

When considering some ways to protect your home, it will be helpful if you can break it down by areas of impact. These areas could include basements, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and ceilings.

You can help prevent water damage in the basement by preventing any water seepage. This can be done by resealing vulnerable areas of the basement, making sure water drains away from your home and installing a backwater valve.

Your kitchen and bathrooms can experience water damage due to plumbing and appliance issues and failures.

Make it a point to regularly:

• Inspect all appliances for issues with hoses and faucets
• Check the seals and caulking around your showers and tubs to make sure there is no leakage
• Know where the main shut-off valve is in your home
• Don’t leave your washing machine or dishwasher running when you are not home

There are things you can do to protect the possessions in your home from water damage, but don’t be surprised if it is not always possible. Use waterproof bins to store items and keep items stored on shelves off of the floor—which is especially recommended when using your basement for storage.