The Cross Timbers Gazette (Flower Mound, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 1, Ed. 1, January 2004 Page: 7 of 16
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THE CROSS TIMBERS GAZETTE
PAGE 7
PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WATER DAMAGE
submitted by Mike Honea Agency
This month the Mike Honea Agency is continuing the
series on property protection tips focusing on preventing
water damage. The information below and other property
protection tips are available through the Encompass
Insurance Website www.encompassinsurance.com under
heading Customer Care.
For people, water is necessary for survival. However,
for a house, water can be a destructive force that can lead to
wood rot, peeling paint, insect infestation, shorter lifespan
of roofing and siding and higher maintenance costs.
INVESTIGATE, IDENTIFY, AND REPAIR ALL
LEAKS AND CRACKS
The best way to prevent water damage from rainwater
and snowmelt is to ensure the exterior materials of the
building are properly constructed and maintained.
Windows and Doors: Check for leaks around your
windows and doors, especially near the comers. Check for
peeling paint, it can be a sign of water getting into the
wood. Inspect for discolorations in paint or caulking,
swelling of the window or doorframe or surrounding
materials.
Roof: Repair or replace shingles around any area that
allows water to penetrate the roof sheathing. Leaks are
particularly common around chimneys, plumbing vents and
attic vents. To trace the source of a ceiling leak, measure its
location from the nearest outside wall and then locate this
point in the attic using a measuring tape. Keep in mind
that the water may run along the attic floor, rafters, or truss
for quite a distance before coming through the ceiling.
Foundation and Exterior Walls: Seal any cracks and
holes in external walls, joints and foundations, in particular,
examine locations where piping or wiring extends through
the outside walls. Fill all cracks in these locations with
sealant.
Plumbing: Check for leaking faucets, dripping or
“sweating” pipes, clogged ___
drains, and faulty water
drainage systems. Inspect
washing machine hoses for
bulges, cracks or wetness.
Replace them every few
years or sooner if problems
are found. Inspect the water
heater for signs of rust or
water on the floor.
Termite-Damaged
Material: Check for
termite damage in wood
materials such as walls,
beams or floors. Any wood
exposed to the exterior can
potentially lead to moisture intrusion or termite infestation.
PREVENT WATER DAMAGE THROUGH GOOD
HOME MAINTENANCE
You can help prevent future leads and water intrusion
by regularly inspecting the following elements in your home
and making sure they remain in good condition.
Flashing: Flashing, which is typically a thin metal
strip found around doors, windows, thresholds, chimneys,
and roofs, is designed to prevent water intrusion in spaces
where two different building surfaces meet.
Vents: All vents, including clothes dryer, gable vents,
and exhaust vents, should have hoods, exhaust to the
exterior, be in good working order, and have boots.
Attics: Check for holes, air leaks, or bypasses from
the house and make sure there is enough insulation to keep
house heat from escaping. Check the bottom side of the
roof sheathing and roof rafters or truss for water stains.
Humidity: The relative humidity in your home should
be between 30% and 50%. Condensation on windows, wet
stains on walls and ceilings, and musty smells are signs that
you may have too much humidity in your home. Check
areas where air does not easily circulate, such as behind
curtains, under beds, and in closets for dampness and
mildew. Be sure to use bathroom exhaust fans following
warm showers or baths. When going on trips, turn the
temperature up on the air conditioning, not off. The air
conditioning system helps remove moisture from your
home.
Air Conditioners: Check drain pans to insure they
drain freely, are adequately sloped toward the outlets and
that no standing water is present. Make sure drain lines are
clean and clear of obstructions. Drain pan overflows
usually occur the first time the unit is turned on in the
spring. Clean prior to first use with compressed air or by
pouring a water-bleach solution down the drain line until it
flows freely.
Expansion Joints: Expansion joints are materials
between bricks, pipes and other building materials that
absorb movement. If expansion joints are not in good
condition, water intrusion can occur. If there are cracks in
the joint sealant, remove the old sealant, install a backer rod
and fill with a new sealant.
Exterior Wood Sheathing and Siding: Replace any
wood siding and sheathing that appears to have water
The Real Estate Corner
by I Gary Kuhatschek
Take Advantage of the
Homestead Exemption
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and
joyous holiday season. With the New Year upon us, the
deadline for property tax payments is January 31st. I have
written before on how to contest your property tax valuations
& how your local REALTOR can help you. Today, I’d like to
offer a simple tip that can save you money on your property
taxes for owner-occupied homes. By filing a homestead
exemption on your primary residence you can reduce the
assessed value on your homestead. The Denton Central
Appraisal Office will reduce the appraised value by as much
as $20,000 for calculating your school tax assessment.
Obviously, this represents a substantial savings for most
homeowners. If you have not already filed for this exemption,
it is important that you do so, no later than April 30th for the
2003 tax year.
Often, you will be contacted by companies offering to
file this document for you, for a fee. Don’t be scammed. The
homestead application is available through the Denton Central
Appraisal District and filing is free and easy. The Denton
Central Appraisal Office’s phone number is metro 972-434-
2602 or you can visit their website at dentoncad.com. If I can
be of further assistance please feel free to call me at 972-317-
9401 or visit my website at www.garykuhatschek.com.
Gary Kuhatschek is a broker at RE/MAX Cross
Country REALTORS located in the Victorian building at
1990 Justin Road in Highland Village.
Patricia’s House Cleaning
Need Someone Who is
Experienced & Dependable
To Clean Your Home?
Just Call Patricia
972.570.8165
Neighborhood References Available Upon Request
HOMES ON THE MARKET
HOMES SOLD
PENDING
HIGH SALE
LOW SALE
MEDIAN
AVERAGE
AVERAGE PRICE PER SQ. FT.
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
AVERAGE % OF LIST TO
SALE PRICE
BARTONVILLE
14
1
1
$450,000
$450,000
$450,000
$450,000
$144.42
149
97%
CANYON OAKS
COPPER CANYON
DOUBLE OAK
LANTANA
6
11
22
23
0
0
5
10
2
1
2
4
N/A
N/A
$400,000
$305,760
N/A
N/A
$226,000
$159,500
N/A
N/A
$290,000
$261,000
N/A
N/A
$305,400
$230,363
$101.10(LIST)
$94.06(LIST)
$104.45
$89.57
N/A
N/A
120
255
N/A
N/A
98%
92%
damage. Inspect any wood sided walls to ensure there is at
least 8" between any wood and the earth.
Drywall: Since drywall is an extremely porous
material and is difficult to dry out completely, damaged
areas should be replaced if any signs of moisture are
present. One way to protect drywall from moisture intru-
sion in the event of a flood is to install it slightly above the
floor and cover the gap with molding.
Exterior Walls: Exterior walls should be kept well
painted and sealed. Don’t place compost or leaf piles
against the outside walls. Landscape features should not
include soil or other bedding material mounded up against
walls.
Landscaping: Keep trees trimmed so that branches
are at least 7 feet away from any exterior house
surface. This will help prolong the life of your
siding and roof and prevent insects from entering
your home from the tree. Vines should be kept off
all exterior walls, because they can help open cracks
in the siding, which allows moisture or insects to
enter the house.
Irrigation: Inspect and adjust the spray
pattern of the irrigation heads to minimize the water
sprayed directly onto the house to avoid excessive
water near the foundation.
ACT QUICKLY IF WATER INTRUSION
OCCURS
If water intrusion does occur, you can minimize
the damage by addressing the problem quickly and thor-
oughly. If water is flowing into the home from burst piping
or damaged appliances, shut off the water supply,
typically found outside the house or at the meter.
Immediately remove standing water and all moist
materials, and consult with a licensed building profes-
sional who can determine the extent of the repairs
necessary. Water damage left unattended can result in
structural failure or, potentially, mold growth.
Should your home become damaged by a cata-
strophic event such as fire, flood or storm, take appro-
priate actions to prevent further water damage once it is
safe to do so. This may include boarding up damaged
windows, covering a damaged roof with plastic sheet-
ing, or removing wet, damaged rugs, carpet, or personal
belongings. Fast action on your part will help minimize
the time and expense for repairs, resulting in a faster
recovery.
Review your Coverage
The Mike Honea Agency represents Encompass
Insurance as well as many other companies. As an indepen-
dent Agent, Mike Honea Agency has available many types
of homeowner coverage’s. You may contact Mike Honea
Agency to review your current homeowner coverage and
compare costs. To review available homeowner policy
options contact 972-436-0717 or www.honeainsurance.com.
The Mike Honea Agency is located at 1020 W. Main in
Lewisville.
__ MIKE HONEA INSURANCE AGENCY
PERSONAL and BUSINESS INSURANCE
CfeV 972-436-0717
www.honeainsurance.com
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Johnson, LaRue. The Cross Timbers Gazette (Flower Mound, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 1, Ed. 1, January 2004, newspaper, January 2004; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth885699/m1/7/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Flower Mound Public Library.