As we enter the first month of Spring, many of us are planning that big weekend of Spring cleaning activities. But did you know that you can simultaneously check for potential water damage hazards and play a role in minimizing your chance of having to call a professional water damage restoration company by knowing what signs to look out for as you clean your home of those dust bunnies?

Safety First

When engaging in Spring cleaning, it is important to focus on safety above everything else, as some cleaning products can cause hazards to one’s health—especially in children. According to U.S. News World and Report, Spring cleaning poison prevention should be emphasized: “It is vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products”. If you have young children in the home, look for cleaning products that don’t contain any chemicals that can poison someone, or at least keep your cleaning chemicals locked up and out of reach from little exploratory hands.

Spring Cleaning Outside the Home

When we think of Spring cleaning most of us tend to conjure images of scrubbing walls and hand-washing the drapes, but there is much to be done outside the home. After you power wash your walls and sidewalks, check your gutters for debris. You will want to clean them out, otherwise when the next big rain storm comes it can cause heavy sludge and water to spill out and unveil damage to your roof while ultimately causing potential rain leaks. When this happens further problems such as black mold can fester in the pads under your roof shingles and eventually spread into the wood. To avoid calling for emergency mold removal services, keep your gutters clean. You should also make sure your downspouts are turned away from the home so water wont pool into the foundation or flood your crawl space. Adding sump pumps in your crawl space would be a good idea; in the event of a rain storm sump pumps can pump water away from your home and protect its structural integrity.

Indoor Spring Cleaning Tips

There are a number of products designed to work with various surfaces. For example, a light wax-based aerosol spray works brilliantly on stainless appliances whereas a solution of water mixed with a little dishwashing liquid will clean painted walls without causing fading. Also, to remove stains and odors on fabric, the experts suggest a mixture of water and vinegar. Be sure to Google various cleaning blogs to discover which techniques work best for everything from your granite counters to hardwoods.

When it comes to checking for potential water damage disasters, do the following:

• Check your appliance hoses for brittle areas, cracks or tiny holes
• Make sure your faucets don’t drip and there is no excessive moisture around them
• Check your water heater for any cracks, bulging or leaks
• Investigate your plumbing for any rusted or rotted areas, as well as bulging, cracks or little leaks

By adding these steps to your repertoire of spring cleaning activities, you can protect your home and family from water damage and household mold. Stay safe and here’s top happy cleaning!