7 Causes Of Water Damage
Water forms an integral part of life. Without it, we would not do anything, leave alone its life-giving properties. Even as it plays a central role in everything we do, water is also severely destructive. It ranks at the top when searching for some of the highest disasters that could potentially strike your property. No one can underestimate the severity that water damage can have on your property. It causes structural damage, triggers mold and fungal growth, and reduces the value of your property. Choosing a local water damage restoration company can help revert these effects and subsequently maintain good status for your property. Read on to the end to find out the various causes of water damage.
1. Unfavorable Weather
Occasionally you may face bad weather such as thunderstorms and heavy rainfall downpours. Such weather may result in massive water leaking into your property without causing flooding. If your building gets damaged under these circumstances, the problem will be classified as water damage, not flood damage.
Understanding the difference between water and flood damage is important because of the insurance aspect. Generally, homeowner’s insurance usually covers water damage but does not cover ruins occasioned by a flood. As far as insurance is concerned, these are two different repairs. You can obtain cover specifically meant for natural disasters like floods, and hurricanes, among others.
You can prepare your home to resist flooding even though you do not control when it happens. You could do this by, for example, installing foundation vents or a sump pump, applying coating and sealants, and installing check valves. Most of these preparation measures need the assistance of a professional to get right.
2. Loosely Fitted And Leaking Pipes
If the water pipes you installed were done wrongly, that could become a significant source of water damage to your property. These can be a wide range of water lines, including the kitchen sink and broken water pipes inside the property’s wall. Furthermore, shoddy plumbing work is a crucial problem that could severely weaken you.
There are various ways in which leaking pipes could cause damage to your property. For instance, they may motivate mold and mildew growth. Keep in mind that it does not take a lot of water for mold development. It may also cause paint and wallpaper to peel, destroying the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Of any damage that leaking pipes can cause, most people mainly express concern over the property’s structural status. As floor material becomes weak, you may start experiencing problems such as appliances and furniture falling through and the possibility of your ceiling collapsing to cause physical danger.
Repairing leaking pipes can be costly, depending on where the pipes are situated. For instance, if the water tubes are embedded within the wall, expect to incur more charges. However, doing is unavoidable as it prevents severe issues from manifesting.
3. Blocked Drains
Are you wondering whether blocked drains can cause water damage to your property? Absolutely! Even though clogged drains may not seem a severe threat to some people, you may regret why you never took swift action when you noticed the problem.
Please remember that the drains are supposed to take the water somewhere. If they become clogged, water accumulates in an area that it shouldn’t. The drainage pipes may fail to withstand the pressure and burst.
Additionally, blocked drains have water remaining stagnant in a place for a long time. That means corrosion occurs in addition to other deterioration of the pipe material. The reduced drainage material quality leads to leakages that could damage your home.
4. Failed Sprinkler Systems
Your essential sprinkler systems could quickly become a source of disaster. You may have installed it with the good intentions of dealing with accidental fires. However, the system may malfunction and even turn itself on when it gets older.
Imagine a situation where everyone is away from home or the office, and the sprinkler system turns itself on accidentally. Essential appliances, including computers and TVs, can get damaged.
5. AC Water Damage
Your AC is designed to provide condensation. However, it can also cause catastrophic water damage and cost you significantly in repairs.
How exactly does an AC cause water damage? The conditioning generated from the evaporator coil can clog the main drain line, overflowing water and eventually finding its way into walls and the ceiling. As more of this happens, you will ultimately be forced to start looking for local mold removal services.
Luckily, this is something preventable through regular AC maintenance and occasional observation.
6. Water Damage Due To Washing Machine
As innocent as it may look, your washing machine can be a disaster in waiting if you do not take good care of it. The typical design for these appliances is that they have three hoses (drain hose, cold water hose, and hot water hose). That means you have three hoses that could potentially burst or leak just like any other water pipe.
Whenever you shut down the washing machine, you usually create a water wave through the pipes known as a water hammer. This sudden change in water pressure causes the pipes to bend slightly. When you subject the washing machine to more cycles, any of these pipes could eventually give in and begin leaking.
Considering that most of these machines are generally close to the walls, the leaks may get sucked into the wall and gradually become a significant problem. You need to consult an expert to conduct a regular professional inspection. Also, never forget to turn off the water supply when not using the washing machine.
7. Water Damage From Water Heaters
A water heater undergoes repeated processes of holding and transferring water continuously. As it continues functioning, it accumulates deposits at the bottom of the tank, eroding the heater elements and the tanker liner. The continued sediment buildup not only reduces water efficiency but also causes damage, hence water leaks.
Wrap Up
To deal with various causes of water damage, you will need a professional with the technical knowledge of what to look for. We are at Mid Atlantic Mold And Water Damage Services, a local water damage restoration company have the expertise and tools to assess your property for these causes and take relevant preventive measures. Contact us today for our high-tech detection services to help mitigate significant issues that would have cost you more.
