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[unable to retrieve full-text content]Greenserve Brings Crawlspace Encapsulation Services To Salisbury StreetInsider.com
Salisbury, North Carolina based Greenserve is pleased to announce that their crawlspace encapsulation services are now available. Helping the community …
VOL. 43 | NO. 30 | Friday, July 26, 2019
As a spokesperson for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters, often gives tips to homeowners on preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.
Worters says she had owned a home in Bellmore, New York, for only a month when she noticed the washing machine washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.
“I went downstairs and I was up to my ankles in water,” says Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, says Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager from Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. (“Water damage” is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)
“When you ask people (if they’ve had water damage), if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has – a friend or family member or neighbor,” Greene says.
Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter says.
But not all water losses are covered by insurance. While a sudden event, such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine, would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars, or more, to fix the damage and remediate any mold.
“That’s a maintenance issue,” Worters says. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.
Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2% have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene says.
That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45% of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene says. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.
But there are lower-cost and free methods for homeowners to avoid:
• Locate the main shut-off. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters says. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves, as well.
• Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pullout spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each – and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)
• Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter says. Consider shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation, Greene says.
• Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.
• Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at hardware stores or online for less than $40. Place them on the floor near washers and water heaters. The shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.
Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
source http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=119927
Citric acid is something that we all consume or come in contact with, but many people are in the dark about what it actually is. Plus, with the word «acid» tacked onto the end, it can seem a little scary. So is it actually worthy of those fears, or is it an unavoidable part of everyday life?
The first thing to know about citric acid is that there are two types. The first is derived from — you guessed it — citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons and limes. It’s also present to a lesser degree in tomatoes and berries. «This type of citric acid is naturally made and good for you. It is high in antioxidants,» says personal trainer and nutritionist James Hickey in an email.
There’s not a whole lot of controversy about fruit-related citric acid, fortunately. «Consuming foods with natural citric acid in them is completely healthy and should be part of your nutrition plan,» Hickey says. «The only negative side effects that can happen is if you were to eat citric fruits in excess it can decrease the enamel on your teeth and cause heartburn.» Fortunately, he says that these problems can be eliminated simply by drinking water when enjoying citric foods.
It’s the non-naturally occurring citric acid that gets some people’s knickers in a twist, which is not too surprising given that it’s actually grown on black mold — the same type you might find in your bathroom. Even more daunting, this version of citric acid accounts for the vast majority out there in the world.
«Today, 99 percent of citric acid is made via microbial fermentation. Only 1 percent is naturally derived from citrus fruit,» says registered dietitian Erica Julson in an email interview.
To manufacture mass quantities of citric acid, which is used in a dizzying array of products (more on that in a minute), a mold called Aspergillus niger (A. niger) is grown in pans using a carbohydrate substance like sugar or molasses to help the fermentation process along. Other inorganic ingredients, like potassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate are then added, and once the ideal pH balance is achieved the sterile pans are introduced to the A. niger spores, which then germinate and eventually cover the liquid. The resulting product is a mat of mold. Several days later, the citric acid starts being produced until most of the sugar is consumed.
Naturally, the idea of consuming anything that’s been involved with a «mat of mold» has people feeling some kind of way, especially since this particular type of mold under other circumstances is a major contributor to food spoilage and can even cause some types of pneumonia!
So far, popular medical opinion indicates that there’s nothing too grave to be concerned about, however. «Medical experts have responded to these black mold concerns and have said that it is so refined that there isn’t any reason to be concerned,» Hickey says. «I still don’t feel very comfortable about it though, especially for people that may have a mold allergy.»
Indeed, some people might need to be a little more mindful than others. «Citric acid is ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) by the USDA, but there have been reports of citric acid causing canker sores, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory reactions, and stomach upset in some people,» Julson says. «People who are extremely mold or yeast sensitive or allergic/sensitive to corn, beet, or cane sugar/starches may want to avoid citric acid since these items are used in the production of citric acid.»
That said, citric acid has been credited with some pretty impressive feats, such as protecting the brain thanks to its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also linked to improved nutrient absorption, and has been tied to improved bone health, as well.
Some of the properties that make citric acid body-beneficial are also why they’re used in other products. «Citric acid is used as an additive because of its antibiotic properties. In some canned foods, it is used to protect against botulism,» says certified fitness instructor and Anabolic Bodies CEO Eddie Johnson via email.
Indeed, its preservative powers make it a natural for inclusion in everyday staples like ice cream, canned goods, wine, jams, applesauce, fish and shellfish because it keeps the product’s pH balanced and prolongs its shelf life, according to Julson. Plus citric acid «adds a pleasant tart taste to fruit-flavored products, especially candy and beverages,» she says.
Even if you’re fastidious about non-naturally occurring citric acid consumption, there’s still a pretty good chance that you’ll come into contact with it, as it’s a common component of makeup, chemical peels, bath bombs, detergents, cleaning supplies and even supplements. Citric acid stabilizes active ingredients in medications and improves their taste. Its antibacterial properties make it an effective disinfectant, which is why it’s added to cleaning products.
«I swear by the amazing benefits of citric acid for the skin,» says Alisha Lawson, a product development expert who specializes in beauty products for cosmetics company Shiny Leaf. «It treats several skin problems like mild acne, dark spots, clogged pores, and wrinkles,» she says, adding that certain formulations are known to help brighten complexion and even out skin tone.
Fortunately, this doesn’t seem like an ingredient we need to worry too much about. «Most studies have found citric acid to be safe, and some have even found it to be neuroprotective [protecting nerve cells against damage or degeneration], » says dietician Julson. «Consuming large quantities can certainly damage teeth or irritate the intestines, but for most healthy individuals in small doses, it is relatively benign.»
source https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/citric-acid.htm
Photo: istockphoto.com
Vinyl often trumps siding materials like aluminum or fiber cement for its ruggedness, color retention, and overall attractiveness as exterior décor—not to mention its reasonable price. But given all that the outdoors throws at your vinyl siding, it can get dingy over time, which can hamper curb appeal and even structurally damage the siding if mold has a chance to grow.
While you could concoct a DIY cleaner, busy homeowners often wish to save time with a commercial outdoor cleaner formulated to safely and effectively get vinyl siding looking good again. Read on to find out what makes an effective exterior cleaner and why homeowners like you rate the following five as the best vinyl siding cleaners:
Photo: istockphoto.com
Consider the following factors before buying a vinyl siding cleaner.
Opt for house/siding washes and multi-surface outdoor cleaners with inorganic solvents such as water or hydrogen peroxide, or soaps containing water-soluble surfactants like alkyl sulfates, which won’t react with or harm the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that makes up vinyl siding. Cleaners with a similar chemistry to vinyl siding—e.g., those containing organic solvents or petroleum ethers like acetone, benzene, or tetrahydrofuran—can damage it, creating dark and hazy patches, streaks, yellowing, and a brittle, cracked, and/or distorted surface, as well as loss of color and impact resistance. Also resist the temptation to spot clean vinyl siding with liquid grease removers, nail polish removers, and furniture polishes, which often contain organic solvents.
High moisture, a lack of sunlight, and exposure to dirt or tree sap can all cause mildew and mold to grow on vinyl siding. So if you live in a damp, humid, or cloudy climate, or have a lot of vegetation or trees in your yard, consider a vinyl siding cleaner formulated to combat mildew and mold. These products often contain fungicides such as ammonium chloride, chlorine bleach, or oxygenated bleach, which all mitigate mildew and mold, and lift stubborn stains like rust or limescale. Keep in mind, however, that chlorine bleach can also kill nearby plants, so, choose products with oxygenated bleach (hydrogen peroxide) or ammonium chloride instead.
Vinyl siding cleaner is commonly applied in three ways: via a pressure washer, through a cleaning bottle with a built-in applicator, or manually with a long-handled brush.
Vinyl siding cleaners are sold in concentrated and ready-to-use formulas. You generally must dilute concentrate in water before use, but when using a concentrated cleaner with a pressure washer, the washer will automatically dilute the cleaner through a separate hose connection to a tap. A concentrated formula is generally the more economical choice.
Eco-conscious homeowners can minimize the harmful impact of chemicals with vinyl siding cleaners labeled “non-toxic” and “biodegradable,” the latter meaning that the product will decompose. Even better, look for cleaners carrying the EPA Safer Choice label—an indication that the formulation meets the Safer Choice Standard for human health and environmental safety, which factors in carcinogenicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, aquatic toxicity, and how long the cleaner stays in the environment before breaking down. Safer Choice-labeled products are considered safer for the health of your family, pets, aquatic life, and the planet than your average cleaner.
Here are our top five picks based on the above factors and reviews from real customers.
Photo: amazon.com
Safe for use on vinyl, metal, fabric, plastic, and more, this non-toxic biodegradable outdoor cleaner with the EPA Safer Choice label is packed with potent yet planet-safe ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide that lift dirt, grime, tree sap, moss, algae, grease, mildew, mold, and associated stains from your siding without harming turf, plants, or pets. Rated four out of five stars on Amazon, the concentrated formula can be applied with a pressure washer (wet the siding with water supplied to the washer from a tap, apply the concentrate with the water still on, let dwell for three minutes, and then rinse off with water). If cleaning manually, dilute 1.5 cups of in two gallons of water in a bucket, then apply as above. Available on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
You’ll get the most bang for your buck with this big jug of cleaning concentrate. Rated 3.6 stars by Amazon reviewers, the hydrogen peroxide-powered cleaner lifts dirt and stains from moss, mold, mildew, and algae without damaging the lawn, plants, or patio upholstery and is safe for use on vinyl, wood composite, brick, and more. It can be applied with a pressure washer with water supplied from a tap and then rinsed off after five to 10 minutes. If cleaning siding manually, dilute 1.5 cups of the concentrate in 13.5 cups water, apply it to the siding, let it dwell as above, scrub it with a soft-bristle brush, then rinse. Available on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This bleach-free, wet-and-forget formula harnesses the power of ammonium chloride to eliminate mold, mildew, moss, and algae from vinyl siding and virtually any outdoor surface without harming nearby plants—no pressure washer, scrubbing, or rinsing required! Dilute 2.5 cups of the cleaning concentrate in a gallon of water and then apply it manually, letting it work its deep-cleaning magic for four to five hours and then admiring the sparkling results. Amazon reviewers gave the cleaner 4.3 out of five stars for being “very easy to mix and apply” and making “black mold marks disappear.” Available on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Rated four out of five stars on Amazon, this non-toxic, bleach-free indoor-outdoor cleaner with the Safer Choice label leverages ingredients like water and ammonium chloride to lift stubborn siding stains from vinyl siding and patio furniture, including rust, calcium and limescale, and greasy deposits like motor oil and crayon. Manually apply the ready-to-use cleaner undiluted, let it dwell for a few minutes, scrub lightly with a soft-bristle brush, then rinse off with water. Feel free to use it indoors, too, on surfaces ranging from kitchen sinks to showers. Available on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
De-grunge small sections of siding with this ready-to-use 32-ounce spray cleaner with a non-toxic, biodegradable, water-based formula. Rated four out of five stars by Amazon reviewers, the multi-surface indoor-outdoor cleaner loosens dirt and grime on everything from vinyl siding and patio furniture to interior walls without the need for a pressure washer. Simply spray on, gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush, and then rinse it off. Available on Amazon.
source https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-vinyl-siding-cleaner/
“If I don’t go to the media or if I don’t pursue any further legal action, they will give me a check for $1,000 to shut me up, pretty much. I’m not rich. I make $9.25 an hour. I can’t go out here and buy new bedroom sets, new living room sets. I can’t do that,” Hood said.
Merrill McKewen, Executive Director of the Mississippi and Capitol Area Habitat For Humanity said, “This is a monumental problem. This is not what was happening when those habitat home were first put there, but are a result of all the subsequent building that has occurred.”
As a spokeswoman for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters often gives tips to homeowners about preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.
Worters had owned a home in Bellmore, N.Y., for only a month when she noticed that the clothes washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.
«I went downstairs, and I was up to my ankles in water,» said Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, said Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager for Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. («Water damage» is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)
«When you ask people [whether they’ve had water damage], if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has — a friend or family member or neighbor,» Greene said.
Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter said.
But not all water losses are covered by insurance. While a sudden event such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars or more to fix the damage and remediate any mold.
«That’s a maintenance issue,» Worters said. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.
Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2% have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene said.
That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45% of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene said. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.
But there are lower-cost and even free ways homeowners can head off problems.
Find the main shut-off valve. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters said. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves as well.
Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pull-out spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each — and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)
Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not at home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter said. And Greene recommends shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation.
Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.
Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at a hardware store or online for less than $40. Put them on the floor near washers and water heaters, and the shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.
As a spokesperson for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters often gives tips to homeowners on preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.
Worters says she had owned a home in Bellmore, N.Y., for only a month when she noticed the clothes washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.
“I went downstairs and I was up to my ankles in water,” says Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, says Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager from Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. (“Water damage” is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)
“When you ask people (if they’ve had water damage), if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has — a friend or family member or neighbor,” Greene says.
Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter says.
But not all water losses are covered by insurance. While a sudden event, such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine, would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars, or more, to fix the damage and remediate any mold.
“That’s a maintenance issue,” Worters says. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.
Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2 percent have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene says.
That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45 percent of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene says. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.
But there are lower-cost and free ways homeowners can head off problems:
Locate the main shut-off. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters says. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves as well.
Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and hot water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pull-out spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each — and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)
Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter says. Consider shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation, Greene says.
Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.
Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at hardware stores or online for less than $40. Place them on the floor near washers and hot water heaters, and the shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
This column was provided to the Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of Your Credit Score.
RELATED LINK: Understanding homeowners insurance
source https://www.tampabay.com/business/liz-weston-is-your-wealth-dripping-away-20190723/
As a spokesperson for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters often gives tips to homeowners on preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.
Worters says she had owned a home in Bellmore, New York, for only a month when she noticed the clothes washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.
«I went downstairs and I was up to my ankles in water,» says Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, says Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager from Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. («Water damage» is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)
«When you ask people (if they’ve had water damage), if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has — a friend or family member or neighbor,» Greene says.
Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter says.
But not all water losses are covered by insurance . While a sudden event, such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine, would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars, or more, to fix the damage and remediate any mold.
«That’s a maintenance issue,» Worters says. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.
Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2% have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene says.
That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45% of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene says. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.
But there are lower-cost and free ways homeowners can head off problems:
Locate the main shut-off. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters says. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves as well.
Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and hot water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pull-out spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each — and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)
Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter says. Consider shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation, Greene says.
Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.
Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at hardware stores or online for less than $40. Place them on the floor near washers and hot water heaters, and the shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.
Damage Mold 