If water is a cause of life, it can also cause destruction. Water damage is also not time-specific; it can happen anytime. It is more than soaked carpets and the awful musky smell; the issue is often much deeper than that. You might think that an inch or two of clogged water in your house is no big deal and won’t make a hole in your pocket, but it is not the case in reality. Water damage is one of the most expensive problems homeowners report these days.
According to home insurance companies, water damage is also one of the most frequently reported claims causing damage to the property in many ways. When it creeps into the foundations, it hurts the structure of a building; stagnant water penetrating the walls from the outside leads to water ingress. Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth and vermin infestation leading to various health issues. It discolors your beautifully painted walls and destroys the wallpapers on the surface. Worst of all, if water damage is not addressed at the earliest, it can lead to severe renovation and reconstruction needs in the house.
One way of circumventing the problems caused by water damage is by identifying the root cause and taking action early on before it worsens into something serious. You never want to be that person who ends up burning its dollars because it missed the issue at its earlier stages. But what causes water damage? common reasons causing water damage include:
Plumbing Leaks
A faulty plumbing system is one of the main culprits causing water damage to the property. Plumbing leaks often occur suddenly, leading to more severe issues like drywall damage due to broken and burst pipes within the ceiling and leaky pipes near the faucets. Other problems related to faulty plumbing include ruptured pipes of the appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
Plumbing issues often surprise people as plumbing systems are hidden behind the walls and within the ceiling. Therefore, most homeowners may not know about it until it becomes dire. Your proactive action can help you save your house from the devastations of water damage if you constantly monitor your plumbing system and do not hesitate to call a plumber even if you are doubtful about any water leakages in the house.
Extreme Weather
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains, thunderstorms, and hurricanes cause water damage. Though these incidents don’t happen every day, once they do, they often carry the risk of water damage in the form of floods. Strong winds accompanied by a downpour can cause damage to your roof; water can also seep into the walls through cracks and fissures in the ceiling.
Often people experience the extreme issue of water coming inside the house during the rainy seasons causing damage to their belongings such as furniture, carpets, etc. If you live in an area that experiences frequent flooding and excessive rains, make sure your house, especially the roof, is prepared to deal with the harshness of the weather. Check your roof for cracks or structural damages; make sure no vents lead the water from the top down towards the house. Moreover, all the gutters and downspouts should be clean and take the water away from the residence.
Water Overflows
Your carelessness is another major reason causing a setback in the form of water damage in the house. It often happens when you forget to turn off the sink faucet or let the water flow in the bathtub, leading to a soggy problem. Water overflows can damage your floor, furniture, and carpets. Soggy carpets are also an excellent breeding ground for mold and infestation of the material with various types of organisms. Such problems to the floor and the carpets should be critically addressed if you don’t want to aggravate the matter, leading to severe damage to your belongings. Moreover, always be vigilant about running taps, overflowing bathtubs, and working kitchen faucets to avoid such issues. Also, make sure the floor in the kitchen and bathroom is always dry.
Clogged Gutters
Gutters are supposed to keep the water flowing away from the house during the rainy and stormy seasons. If they cannot do so, they are blocked or lead the water somewhere else. Both situations are dangerous; clogged gutters can cause water overflow leading to puddles of water on the roof. This water can seep into the ceiling through cracks in the roof. On the other hand, gutters with holes must be checked because they might be leaking water into the house structure. To keep your gutters functioning, you must inspect them after every few months. During the rainy season, make sure no leaves or twigs are blocking the opening.
HVAC Systems
HVAC systems in the house can also cause flooding, leading to water damage. It is always recommended to inspect and clean these Heating, Ventilation periodically, and Air Conditioning systems to mark down any chances of such occurrences. If you see the possibility of any storm, make sure to call the technician without wasting any time trying to do it yourself. The common issues related to an HVAC system needing your immediate attention include clogged drains, frozen evaporator coils, and pipes not connected properly.
Conclusion
There can be various causes of water damage in a house, and most of these issues are preventable. Indeed, you cannot stop strong winds from blowing or showers of rainwater from thrashing against your roof. But you can surely insulate your roof to withstand the intense weather and water damages it brings. Similarly, making sure all the plumbing system in the house is always in their best condition, faucets are not running, and gutters and downspouts are leading water away from the house is still your job. Such proactive actions can always help you save a lot of dollars that might cost you otherwise in case of water damage.