Tips for Preventing Water Damage this Holiday Season!

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

From our SERVPRO of Inglewood family to yours!

While some may think that you’re more likely to experience a fire in your home during the holiday season, in actuality there are many potential water damage threats that can occur. Here are some tips and prevention strategies to help ensure your holidays run smoothly (at least on our end!):

Watering your Christmas tree — Only a small amount of water is actually necessary to allow for the growth of mold. This means that a leak while watering your Christmas tree could actually be the main cause for water damage in your home during the holidays. So, how can you tell if your Christmas tree is the ‘root’ of the problem? If, after the first few days, the water pan for your tree is always empty and needs to constantly be refilled, it is possible there is a leak. Christmas trees do not need to be watered every day, and if you find yourself needing to do so, you should examine the areas around and underneath your tree for dampness and potential water damage.

Fire from your Christmas tree — Although your first reaction to a lit and smoky Christmas tree is probably understandably to ‘get water!’ you should be conscious of the risks in using it to put a fire out. Great amounts of water can invite mold into your home as the water creeps into your floors and walls. Instead, have a readily available fire extinguisher in your home to put out those festive fires.

Visiting Family and Friends — Many people travel during the holiday season! While visiting family and friends during the holidays, make sure to turn off your water if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time. Leaks from pipes are always possible, and if no one is home to notice during the holidays, water damage may occur.

Family Gatherings at Home — When gathering family around your home for the holidays, you’re not all just sharing food and conversation-- you’re also sharing the bathroom. With increased uses, flushes, and toilet paper, your plumbing may face some serious issues with backed up toilets or even clogged drains. Water damage could be a consequence of the variety of issues you may face this holiday season. These issues can become very messy very quickly, not to mention unsanitary, so be sure to address possible problems immediately to ensure you and your family are not risking any health problems.

Have a happy holiday from the team here at SERVPRO of Inglewood.