What Causes Water Damage in Homes
Water damage can cause various problems, making it crucial to promptly address the top causes of water damage in the home or building. When water infiltrates areas of a property where it shouldn’t be, it can warp the floors and discolor painted walls. Additionally, excessive moisture can promote mold growth and vermin infestations. If left unattended, water damage may eventually compromise the building’s foundation, making it critical to immediately address the issue through water damage restoration.
Water damage can be surprisingly expensive. Although it may seem like an inch or two of water flooding a home or business would not result in high costs, there have been instances where even such small amounts of water caused damage that required tens of thousands of dollars to repair and restore.
One of the most significant problems with water damage is that it can occur unexpectedly at any time. Therefore, it is essential to understand the common causes of water damage.
Top Causes of Water Damage in the Home
1. Terrible Weather
Although thunderstorms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters do not occur every day, when they do, they can pose a significant risk of water damage to your property.
During these events, strong winds and heavy rainfall can harm your roof, causing rainwater to infiltrate your home or business. Moreover, severe weather can result in flash floods, mainly if your property is in a flood-prone area.
2. Obstructed Gutters
Your house’s gutter system should direct rainwater away from your property. But, debris like leaves and branches can clog the gutters over time, preventing proper water flow. As a result, water overflows from the edges of the gutters, runs down the walls, and causes water damage on the floors, walls, and ceiling.
3. Pipes that are Leaking
A loose pipe in your kitchen sink can leak enough water to damage the cabinet beneath it. If a pipe breaks inside the walls, the damage could be more severe, affecting the entire wall and creating a mold colony.
Repairs can become very expensive if a plumbing supply line or drainage pipe beneath your concrete slab starts leaking.
4. A Leak in the Water Supply Line of a Washing Machine
Your loading washer has water supply lines that are constantly under pressure. There’s nothing to worry about if you have braided stainless steel lines. But, if your washer has rubber or PVC lines, they can wear out and break, flooding your laundry room quickly unless you promptly turn off the water source.
5. Condensation from the Air Conditioner
Your air conditioning unit makes water when it runs, and this water drips into a drain pan and goes out of your house through a drain line. However, if the drain pan is broken or the drain line is blocked with dirt, the water cannot escape. This can cause water to leak from your AC into your home. This water can damage your floors and walls and even wet your insulation.
6. Clogged Drains as One of the Top Causes of Water Damage in the Home
Drains in your kitchen sink, bathroom floor, and bathtub can clog up for various reasons, such as hair, grease, dirt, toiletries, toys, or other foreign objects. If not fixed immediately, clogged drains can cause flooding and water damage inside your property.
7. Defective Sprinkler Systems
A sprinkler system can save your property and life when a fire breaks out. However, older sprinkler systems may turn on even without fire. This can cause significant water damage, especially when computers and other electronics are on the property.
8. A Water Heater that is Leaking
An old or poorly maintained water heater is likely to eventually develop a leak, which can quickly flood the basement where it is usually installed. Too much tank pressure could cause it. To prevent water damage, you must address the possible causes mentioned above. Review your insurance policy with your agent to determine coverage for potential water damage.
Superior Restoration Knows What Causes Water Damage in Homes
Superior Restoration has expertise in identifying the various causes of water damage in homes, such as leaky pipes, malfunctioning appliances, natural disasters, and poor drainage systems. By understanding the origin of the issue, they can effectively develop a plan to address the problem and minimize any potential water damage. With their knowledge and experience, Superior Restoration can help homeowners restore their property and prevent further damage.
