Leaks in a house, whether they be from a roof, a pipe, or a sewer, can be absolutely disastrous. Water can quickly come into the house flooding the basement and causing thousands of dollars of damages in destroyed property and repairs. Not only that, leaks in the roof area can cause severe water damage that if left unchecked, can cause significant damage to the rest of the house. If you are putting so much care into your house and its looks, it makes sense to take the time to make it safe from any leaks that may occur. Here are some architectural designs that will help to make your home leakproof:
Repair the Cast Iron Pipes in Your Sewer
Pipes corrode over time simply from doing their job. Iron rusts and corrodes when exposed to water, and while pipes are coated to help prevent water damage to them, it does not last forever. While most people think that it is time to change the pipes and the sewer, many do not know that it’s possible to repair existing sewers without replacing the existing pipes. With the proper repair services and plumbers called, they can begin to fix the corrosion within your sewer without having to yank out all of the pipes and change them. This solution is much cheaper than a full-on pipe change, however, if you let your pipes get too damaged, it will be much harder for them to repair your sewer without changing the pipes. If you are having problems with your sewer, or it has been a long time since you have gotten it looked at, call in a plumber to evaluate the situation and make the repairs necessary if need be.
A Properly Sealed Roof
Roofs exist to provide shelter from the elements and to keep the rest of the house dry. A roof that is not properly sealed or is extremely damaged will create a myriad of water related problems. The first issue is making sure the roof overhangs past the house. This will keep water flowing off the side of the roof and when it falls, it falls far enough away from the house, so it does not sink into the foundation. Water in the foundation can cause the house itself to shift and damage any pipes underneath. Not only that, but this water can pile up and can be absorbed by the walls in the basement causing serious water damage. Next, there is a layer of roofing that goes between the house itself and the shingles for the sole purpose of stopping water from seeping into the attic and the house. Without this layer, the roof will become extremely water damaged and cost you thousands of dollars. Finally, while the shingles are not the best for preventing water damage, they work to get water off your roof. Any gaps in the shingles will cause the water to collect in that area and cause water problems. Take the necessary steps to seal your roof off properly to make your home leakproof.
Plant Trees Away from Sewer and Drainage Lines
As trees grow, their roots become stronger and stronger and branch out further and further. Over time, these roots can begin to hit the pipes underneath your home and eventually dig holes right through them. This is a problem that can easily be remedied with careful and precise work. One of the first options is building a metal barrier underneath the ground. These barriers are specifically designed to stop tree roots from reaching and damaging pipes. Another option is to construct piping away from an already planted trees to prevent damage. Finally, if you are looking to plant trees, find out where your piping is and look to plant away from it to reduce the chances of tree roots reaching it. Always consider what nature is doing underneath the ground near your piping.
While some disasters may strike that leave you powerless to prevent leaks, there are many situations where you can be proactive and prevent damage. Look to repair your sewers when there are problems without fear of having to replace the rest of your pipes. Seal the roof off to prevent rain from getting in, and finally plant your trees away from drainage lines. Finally, don’t be afraid to call someone out to frequently look at your piping to make sure it is in good condition. If you are doing all of this, you are on your way to creating a home that is leak proof. What have you done to make sure your home is leakproof?
To me, a home should be designed to be leak-proof. Build on a hill with good drainage.
All plumbing needs to go into a section of the house lower than the rest. Bathroom, kitchen are here. Living areas a floor up if possible.
A half-story below the Bathrooms, kitchen—and behind them is a concrete walkway. This is isolated from the rest of the house and has the hot water heater away and below everything else. It can’t shoot up…and if it leaks, it drains away from the house. The plumbing to the upstairs sinks is open in the back—so any sink leaks exit here too—not the kitchen floor. Plumbers can stand to work on sink pipes. This lower area has no access to the rest of the house—so workers doing repair won’t be able to steal. AC and other utilities are here but above where water can flow.
With this acess corridor below everything—if there is a leak while you are away, you get a water bill—but no water damage.
There should be a sub-roof— so any hole in the main roof won’t leak into the house. Rain that gets past the main roof drains along an inner tarp-tent to an inner gutter to drain out of a hole in the side of the house. See any water here—and you know your main roof has been holed. Here too, the attic has an entrance that keeps workmen out of the main body of your home—so they don’t steal or break things! I have lost so many books due to leaks, thefts—that I want my house to be as strong as an Inman Embassy combined with a rocket static test battleship like NASA has at Stennis.
The walls should be as thick as a bank vault with no windows. Wrap sunrooms around if you must—but protect the core, as the CrossFit junkies go on and on about. For an elevator, wrap a spiral staircase around a cylinder. Should the car—which rotates as it rises—get stuck…you can just step out.