30 ways to prevent water damage in your home.
By Carlos · All Action Water Damage · Updated June 2026
After 25+ years pulling water out of Bay Area homes, here's the checklist we wish every homeowner had. Most water damage is preventable — these are the habits and fixes that stop it.
30 fixes, grouped by where damage starts.
1. Know where your main water shutoff is — and test that it turns.
2. Replace rubber washing-machine hoses with braided stainless steel.
3. Check under sinks monthly for drips, warping, or musty smells.
4. Replace your water heater before it hits 12 years; install a drip pan.
5. Insulate exposed pipes before cold snaps to prevent bursts.
6. Install water-leak detectors near the heater, washer, and under sinks.
7. Consider a smart automatic shutoff valve for whole-home protection.
8. Inspect dishwasher and fridge water lines once a year.
9. Never run the washer or dishwasher while you're out of the house.
10. Clean the AC condensate drain line each season to prevent overflow.
11. Re-caulk tubs, showers, and toilets when grout or caulk cracks.
12. Don't ignore a 'rocking' toilet — it can mean a failing wax seal.
13. Watch for ceiling stains below upstairs bathrooms.
14. Clean gutters twice a year so water drains away from the foundation.
15. Extend downspouts at least 4–6 feet from the house.
16. Grade soil to slope away from the foundation, not toward it.
17. Seal foundation and basement cracks as they appear.
18. Trim tree roots that can crack pipes and sewer laterals.
19. Inspect the roof and flashing yearly; replace missing shingles fast.
20. Keep skylights and vents sealed and clear of debris.
21. Check your crawlspace after heavy rain for standing water.
22. Keep a vapor barrier intact to control ground moisture.
23. Make sure crawlspace vents and any sump pump are working.
24. Before vacation, shut off the main and have someone check in.
25. Test your sump pump before the rainy season.
26. Know your sewer-backup risk and consider a backwater valve.
27. Add a sewer/water-backup endorsement — it's cheap and commonly excluded.
28. Photograph valuables and keep an inventory for faster claims.
29. If a pipe bursts: shut the main, kill power if needed, then call a pro.
30. Act within 24–48 hours — that's the window before mold starts.
Already have water? Shut off the main, document everything, and call. The first hour decides how bad it gets.