Building a More Resilient Home: Lifestyle Habits That Pay Off

Want a home that can handle whatever life throws at it?

Homeowners rarely focus on resilience until disaster strikes. Pipe bursts, storms approach, basement floods… chaos ensues.

Here’s the thing:

The happiest, healthy homes don’t happen overnight. Slow and steady lifestyle choices add up!

Inside this guide:

1. Why Home Resilience Matters Right Now
2. The Biggest Threat To Your Home
3. 5x Lifestyle Habits That Build A Resilient Home
4. When To Bring In The Pros

Why Home Resilience Matters Right Now

Your home is likely your biggest investment.

Except it’s also under more stress than ever before. The weather is more intense. Rainfall is heavier. And the equipment inside the average home continues to age.

Industry stats show 22.6% of homeowners insurance claims are due to water damage and freezing. Water is the 2nd leading cause of homeowners insurance claims. Even more frightening … 99% of counties in the U.S. had a flooding event between 1996 and 2022.

Pretty scary huh? Thankfully safeguarding your home doesn’t have to be expensive.

The Biggest Threat To Your Home (Spoiler: It’s Water)

Out of every threat a house faces… water is the worst.

Silently it creeps. Behind walls it lurks. By the time you know it’s there… Thousands have been lost.

Here’s why water is such a big problem:

• It causes mold to grow fast
• It rots wood and weakens structures
• It ruins flooring, drywall, and insulation
• It damages electrical systems

That is why adequate standing water removal is crucial as soon as something goes awry. The quicker you can get the water out, the less damage will occur to your home. Should your property ever experience a flood or large leak, choose Compleat Restorations to take care of the damages before mold sets in and that standing water creates an even larger issue.

Water has 24 hours to find its way into your home. One inch of floodwater can wreak about $25,000 worth of damage. Removal of standing water is time critical. If not, secondary damage begins to occur… wood rot, destroyed drywall and toxic mold spores taking over your air.

5x Lifestyle Habits That Build A Resilient Home

Now to the fun part…

Little healthy routines are what make or break tough homes. Choose one or two you like, practice them daily and watch your home prosper.

Habit 1: Walk Your Home Once A Month

This is the easiest habit on the list.

Monthly: Spend 15 minutes walking around the house with fresh eyes. Observe:

• The roof (any missing shingles?)
• Gutters (clogged or leaking?)
• Basement and crawl spaces (any dampness?)
• Around the water heater and washing machine
• Under sinks for slow leaks

Water damage often happens gradually. A small drip under the sink. A slow leak in the basement. Detect these issues early and you can avoid huge repair costs later.

Pretty simple, right?

Habit 2: Keep Your Drainage Clean

Water needs somewhere to go.

If you have clogged gutters or downspouts that discharge immediately next to the foundation… you can bet that water will find its way into the home.

Make a habit of:

• Cleaning gutters twice a year (spring and fall)
• Extending downspouts at least 5 feet away from the house
• Grading the soil so water flows AWAY from the home
• Checking outdoor drains after big storms

This single habit alone can prevent thousands of dollars in basement damage.

Habit 3: Know Where Your Shut-Off Valves Are

Quick question: where is the main water shut-off valve?

Most homeowners don’t know this. But that tidbit of knowledge can save your whole house. When you have a busted pipe, every second matters. If you can turn off the water in 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes, you can prevent a huge mess.

Walk the home today and find:

• The main water shut-off
• Individual shut-offs under sinks and toilets
• The gas shut-off
• The main electrical panel

Snap a photo of each one and save it somewhere handy on your phone.

Habit 4: Maintain (Don’t Just Use) Your Appliances

Most water damage doesn’t come from storms.

Sources are things like home appliances. Washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and hot water heaters are common contributors. Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, so that tiny drip behind the fridge can become a big problem quickly.

Here’s a simple maintenance checklist:

• Replace washing machine hoses every 5x years
• Flush the water heater once a year
• Check the seals on the dishwasher and fridge
• Test the sump pump every few months

They each take less than an hour to do. Yet they can save you from some very costly home repairs.

Habit 5: Build A Home Emergency Kit

Resilience isn’t just about preventing damage…

This preparedness will also serve you well when something does happen. Assemble a simple disaster supplies kit and keep it readily accessible:

• Flashlights and batteries
• A weather radio
• Bottled water and non-perishable food
• A basic toolkit
• First aid supplies
• Important documents in a waterproof bag

Ideally, program your cell phone with the numbers of a reputable restoration company, plumber and electrician. If an emergency happens in the middle of the night, no one has time to search the internet for a solution.

When To Bring In The Pros

Some things any homeowner can handle. Other things need a professional.

If any of these problems show up:

• A flooded basement or crawl space
• A burst pipe leaving water everywhere
• Storm damage that lets water inside
• Visible mold growth on walls or ceilings

Please don’t attempt to tackle this yourself. Water removal from standing water is not something you can do without industrialized equipment and training. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur. Water damage insurance claims average over $15,000… really motivates you to move quickly, doesn’t it?

An effective restoration crew will remove water swiftly, thoroughly dry the structure and prevent mold from occurring.

Bringing It Home

Building a resilient home isn’t about big expensive projects.

It’s the little things that will save you money down the road. Walk your home, clean your gutters, know your shut-offs, maintain your appliances, and keep an emergency kit stocked.

To quickly recap:

• Water is the biggest threat to a home
• Standing water removal needs to happen fast
• Monthly home walks catch problems early
• Maintenance prevents most water damage
• Pros are worth calling when things get serious

Your home doesn’t have to be fancy to be tough. It only needs a careful owner. Change one habit this week. Change another next week. Soon your home will weather anything life sends its way.