Is your water heater out to get you?
An great idea for all homeowners courtesy of Richard Strahm
Peace of mind is an important part of home ownership. And if you could buy a piece of this peace of mind for between $10 and $15, would you?
If I asked you right now if you knew if your water heater was leaking, would you? Without going to the basement and looking? Most of us don't know if water is intruding into our home until it is too late. Water damage from a burst water heater, overflowing sink or washing machine, or failed sump pump can cost thousands.
But there's a good solution -- an inexpensive, battery operated leak detector. Put one of these (some are self contained, some have a remote water sensor) near your potential water intrusion area -- a hot water heater, a washing machine, a sump pump, etc. It unobtrusively sits there until it senses water (most are usually activated with as little as 1/32 inch of water). Then it sounds a loud alarm to let you know when the problem starts.
Most water issues do not start as a deluge. They start as a trickle. A hot water heater won't usually explode it's contents with no warning. But if you ignore the trickle going across your basement floor for hours, it just may let loose.
Even
if you have an unfinished basement, you need to be concerned about water intrusion. And the mold growth that it could promote. How about homes with the laundry on the first or second floor? Or an overflowing bathtub? Think of your drywall, your carpeting, your furnishings. An overflowing 2nd floor washer could cost you thousands of dollars!
One of my favorite leak detectors is the whimsically named Leak Frog.
It does the same job as the others, and is kind of cute, to boot!
Just like the smoke detectors in your home, these leak detectors are only as good as the batteries in them. Remember to change them twice a year with quality replacements!
Stay dry. Sand if you can't, find out before a little water turns into a lot of water. Get a leak detector!
Richard Strahm
Realtor, ABR, SRESRE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438Direct: (215) 853-2624
Office: (215) 256-1200 x-223
Fax: (215) 529-8931Email: Richard@RichardStrahm.com
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