Ready to remodel? Congratulations! Whether it’s the home you live in, or a rental, there are things you should keep in mind when remodeling to maximize how far your time and money will go. Presented below are some insiders’ tips that can help you do some “by the way” improvements while you remodel based on the premise that corrections that cost a small amount of time and money during renovation could later make a BIG difference in comfort and disaster prevention.

Supply safety. It is critical to check all supply lines on an annual basis and replace them when needed. Make sure you check supply lines to all toilets, washing machine, dishwasher and sinks in bathrooms and kitchen. Remember not to overlook the supply line leading to the ice maker in the fridge. It should not be made of plastic but of the new double walled supply line material. One major cause for water damage is supply lines that break or leak. Especially in guest bathrooms or other places not frequently used where a leaky supply line could go unnoticed for a while. 

Drain your water heater outside. Make sure the water heater in your garage sits in a pan that has tubing to drain outdoors. These days we have a lot more things in the garage other than just cars. So it’s almost just as risky to have a spill from the water heater in the garage as it is inside the house! As any water heater is susceptible to unexpected leaks, the best policy is to take all preventive measures possible to ensure water doesn’t flood your garage.

Bathroom Rules. When you renovate around or replacing a bathtub or shower, never put carpet in immediate proximity to a water source. Instead always line the floor leading up to the bath or shower with tile and count on the tenant to use an area rug easily replaceable in case of water damage. Also in any opportunity of renovation to bathrooms, take the time to switch out the toilet angle stops to prevent potential future problems.

Exposed walls? Investigate for water damage. Look for visual mold or any water marks on the open wall. Spot something? You’ll want a professional to deal with the mold and investigate the water marks to see where it came from. An Orange Restoration specialist should be able to help you with this for free or for small charge. We can view the walls while exposed and find water marks which could indicate a small leak that never bothered anyone which could be a symptom of a larger problem.

Investigate for moisture. For property managers with high tenant turn over it’s a good idea to do a moisture inspection every time a tenant moves out. This kind of inspection can reveal leaks that went unnoticed or unreported or some moisture that got in the house. Spotting it makes you one step closer to investigating the causes and finding a solution.

Enlighten yourself. For additional power conservation – add small round skylights in strategic places around the house to be able to enjoy the sun light during the day and not need artificial light. Consider putting one or two in the kitchen, especially above working surfaces, stoves, sinks, etc… They are not as expensive or as complicated as full size skylights, and also fit well in areas where regular skylights would be too big.

Don’t be a sucker. It’s a great idea to always have on hand in your home or in the complex common area a small “wet vac” (you can buy it in Home Depot for under $20). In a case of a water damage emergency the quick action of picking up even some of the water ASAP can mean the difference of that amount of water being absorbed in the walls.
Even before you call anyone – turn off the main water supply to the home and go and suck up as much water as possible.

Don’t let you complex go wet. Don’t underestimate being prepared for a water disaster; plan to have a water disaster preparedness kit. Designate a closet with instructions on how to deal with a water damage situation. Have buckets, a wet vac, industrial size trash bags and large bath towels that can absorb a lot of water. Put everything in an easily carried box that would not be too heavy for one person to carry. A quick tenant can do a lot to help in a flood situation even before professional crews arrive. Orange Restoration will be happy to provide guidance and training to your facilities crew in setting up emergency procedures for water damage mitigation.

Don’t let your landscaping hurt more than it helps! Make sure that you plan your landscaping in a way that the sprinklers never hit the side of the house, or any walls. That could lead to serious water damage. Make sure this appears also in your contract with the landscaper. If you have sprinklers that could reach the house it’s best to use low flow drip or bubbler type irrigation systems. Low flow is also a method that will help you conserve water.

Water damage is real, and happens often. If you have ever been affected by one, you know that it is much less than pleasant. Consider not to skip preventive measures in your property, especially if you engage in renovation when small adjustments and just a little bit of extra thought can go a long way in preventing a disaster in the future.

Bio Yaron Lief
Owner of Orange Restoration, San Diego based, full service restoration company specializing in water damage restoration, mold remediation, construction, remodeling and carpet care. For much more information call (800) 434-4614 or click here to contact us