The Most Common Causes of Water Damage
Water damage can inflict massive damage to your home and its foundation. The worst thing about water damage is that most of the time people are not aware of it and only come to know about it when it has already done extensive damage. We will discuss all the possible causes of water damage especially the ones that could be hidden from the naked eye.
Moisture from the AC’s Condensation
Air conditioners are a must in hot climates but while you are comfortably sitting there on your couch and enjoying the cooling from your AC, the water from your AC might be damaging your home. They create humidity and moisture which is collected and drained outside with the help of a drainage pipe. If that pipe is incorrectly placed or leaking, then it can start to dampen the surrounding area. It won’t damage the area significantly and that is the most dangerous thing about it. It will slowly but surely start to rot or decompose the things in its reach. This sort of humidity will not only damage the structure itself but will also create a pleasing habitat for all sorts of unwanted insects like cockroaches, lizards, and moths. If you have an AC, make sure that the water drain is properly placed without any leaks.
Old Water Heaters with Leakages
Water equipment and appliances especially water heaters are made with water-resistant materials. They are designed to work with water and moisture, throughout their lifespan. However, they are not invincible. Old heaters, especially tend to get rust and start dripping. These drips are not significant but often go unnoticed most of the time. This seeping hot water can be dangerous to the structure. If your water heater is placed above a ceiling, it can wreak havoc on it and you will only start to notice it once your roof starts to drip or get a huge mold spot. It is advised to get such water heaters repaired as soon as possible or if you can, get them replaced with new ones.
Heavy Rainfall and Extreme Weather Conditions
Most of the homes are designed to withstand almost all sorts of harsh weather conditions. The sides of homes are usually protected with weatherproof sidings and the roof is obviously covered with durable roofing. But as with any other protective material, these roofings and sidings also get damaged.
Even the smallest crack in the roof can result in leaking especially if your roofing is old or isn’t installed properly. The situation gets worse if you live in an area with lots of storms, rainfall, hail storms, and more. A leak in the roof does deeper damage than any of the other damages discussed here. It often goes unnoticed just like other damages but it becomes apparent after doing the most damage. The water will start seeping into the roof, then the sub-roof, into the attic, and only then it will be apparent. And that too will only be detected if you perform a thorough inspection after every storm or rainfall. So, next time it rains, always go and inspect the attic, walls, and roof.
Flooding
Being a victim of a flood is rare and very unfortunate. Flooding can cause extensive damage to your home like destroying vital infrastructure and destroying the belongings on the property. Even if you are safe from such damages, you will be impacted by the flooded water. It can reach into your basement, and damage your lawn and anything that is made of wood. If the water is not removed at the soonest, it can start to seep into the foundations of your house. Especially if you have water in the basement. The water will start to decompose and rot all the things that keep the foundations in place. In severe cases, the house can even tilt on one side due to the weakening of the foundations. Flood water has to be removed urgently to mitigate further damages.
Hidden Leaking Pipes
One of the most common causes of mildew and mold growth is leaking pipes. Almost all the pipes in our homes are installed underneath the floor. It makes it almost impossible to detect or even inspect such leaking pipes. The leaking water provides a haven for the growth of organisms like mold, mildew, fungus, and more. One way you can detect them easily is by regularly checking the floor. If there’s a water leakage, the wood will most probably start to swell from that area, and you will notice a bulge in the floor or an uneven floor. This is not a guaranteed way but an easy quick way to check for any leaks. If you suspect that there might be some leaks, then you should contact your nearest plumber for a thorough inspection.
Burst Pipes, A Nightmare!
Burst pipes can flood the interior of your home in minutes. Just like flooding, it will fill up all the spaces with water. No matter how fast you get a plumber to fix that pipe and stop the flowing water, the damage has already been done and the consequences are inevitable. Water will make its way into the small cracks and crevices as soon as it hits the floor. The best way is to clean all that water, keep the heating systems on, keep all your windows and doors open, and if possible get someone with powerful drying equipment. If you don’t do that, then you will be searching for some floor replacement services after some months.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common water damages but there are many more. Regular and timed inspections will safeguard you from the majority of these damages. No matter what the cause of the damage is, it needs to be addressed and fixed at the soonest. The longer the water stays the more expensive the repairs get. The ideal thing to do in this case is to call the nearest professionals to help you with the water damage restoration.