If you’ve ever experienced water damage, or if you know people who have, then you likely know that the aftermath of a flood or plumbing accident isn’t pretty – or cheap. As with most unpleasant things, taking preventative measures to avoid water damage in the first place makes sense. Not only are most of the water damage prevention steps easy to perform, they are generally inexpensive, if not free!

Before you begin, consider some of the common causes of water damage: drips, leaks, and clogs. With these root causes in mind, inspect your house and take action! This may involve a bit of work on your part such as cleaning out rain gutters and clogged drains, and it may require a few trips to the hardware store to buy new hoses, caulk, washers, and fittings. However, your efforts are well worth doing as a simple overflow could cost you hundreds of dollars in water damage mop up costs and repairs.

Dealing with Drips

While drips and leaks are similar, let’s address them separately. When inspecting your home for drips, use your sense of hearing as you inspect the following areas:

Look for signs of water and listen for the telltale sign of drips. Sometimes the repair is as simple as tightening a water valve while other repairs may require new fittings, hoses, or washers. Replace any hoses that show signs of deterioration such as brittle washing machine hoses.

Dealing with Leaks

Like drips, you’ll find leaks in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas where water lines run. However, leaks can be more difficult to detect. After all, a slow leak may not make a drip, drip, drip sound. In fact, the leak can be well hidden, slowly causing damage. Look for signs of water leaks by inspecting areas around windows and appliances for signs of moisture. You may notice damp carpet, water stains, or mildew. Basement leaks and seepage are also common, so be sure to check your basement, using your sense of smell as you search for signs of water damage.

Repairing leaks can be as simple as caulking a leaking window or replacing a leaking pipe. Ignoring leaks almost always leads to further damage.

Dealing with Clogs

Clogs are responsible for water damage due to overflows. After all, if a drain is clogged, water has nowhere to go. Typical areas to clean and maintain for preventing clogs include:

Regularly inspect drains and gutters and clean out the gunk as needed. Use a plumbing snake to clear clogged pipes and keep a toilet plunger handy for clogged toilets.

These are easy water damage prevention steps that you can take today to prevent costly water damage cleanup and repair costs tomorrow.

Whether you own a new or old home claw foot bath tubs look great in any home and available in a number of different sizes and designs. They are both comfortable and function quit well despite being a design that is more than 100 years old. With Victorian bathtubs becoming more popular the transition from modern to classical looks can only add character and charm in contrast to modern bathtubs. If a claw foot bathtub is what your looking for, we have listed below a number of things to consider and be mindful of when shopping for a clawfoot bathtub.

Antique clawfoot bath tubs are very heavy therefore you should make sure your floor can support the weight. This is especially import on second floor bathrooms and over basements.

Reproduction are appealing in that are considerably lighter than antique claw foot bath tub yet posses all of the style and elegance of an antique bathtub. Old claw foot bath tubs were made from a very heavy cast iron material.

Claw foot bath tubs are of course free standing therefore have exposed plumbing. The exposed plumbing is part of what makes a claw foot bath tub beautiful and you should be mindful to purchase a drained and water supply lines that will complement your bath tub such as what we have available in our store.

Should you decide a claw foot bath tub you will faced with choosing either a cast iron or acrylic bath tub. There are alot of aguments on both sides which are better. This will greatly depend upon who you speak with. Listed below are some common arguments both the acrylic and cast iron bathtubs salesman will pose to you.

1. Acrylic Claw Foot Bath Tub Salesman Cast iron bathtubs are externally heavy and very difficult for four strong people to get upstairs.

Our View No doubt cast iron bath tubs are heavy. You must remember however, you only move a cast iron bath tub into place more than likely once in a lifetime. Don’t let a one time move deter you from purchasing a cast iron bath tub.

2. Acrylic Claw Foot Bath Tub Salesman Cast iron bath tubs are cold to the touch.

Our View No doubt will be cold to the touch when empty during the winter months. This would only be a problem if you take a bath without warm water in the bath tub. Simply remember to fill your bath tub with warm water before bathing. Cast iron is an excellent conductor of heat and will be delightfully warm when you get into your bath tub.

3. Cast Iron Claw Foot Bathtub Salesman Acrylic bath tubs are prone to flexing.

Our View We have also observed this issue cast iron bath tubs and have found that this is generally due to improper installation. We recommend that you always employ a licensed plumber to install your bath tub whether you have a cast iron or acrylic bath tub. Cutting corners can cost you more money in the end due to improper installation.

4. Cast Iron Claw Foot Bathtub Salesman Acrylic bath tubs scratch very easy.

Our View Both acrylic and cast iron bath tubs can be scratched if not properly cared for. We suggest that you follow your manufactures recommendation for care.

Our consensus is simple, purchase what you fill comfortable with. We recommend that you confer with a licensed plumber before making your purchase to ensure you select a bath tub that is write for you.

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