Water damage is one of the biggest nightmares a homeowner can face. What’s worse, if it’s a hidden leak, it can wreak a lot of havoc within your walls and floors before it gets bad enough to become visible.
Leaks of any size can damage your drywall, carpet, baseboards, cabinets, and more- not to mention the disaster you face if it’s severe enough to reach your furniture! A secondary risk is the rapid development of mold and mildew that can create a health hazard as they release spores into the air you breathe.
If you’re facing water damage in your home, you don’t just need a plumber to fix the issue. You also need an expert to come assess and repair the harm it’s caused. Skilled professionals can assist with water removal, mould remediation, and other critical tasks in the process of restoring your home to a safe and comfortable living space.
Let’s take a look at the most common causes of water damage:
- Disposals in your sink can break down and begin to leak, creating water buildup and mold under your sink. This is an easy fix, but if left unnoticed, the damage can accumulate quickly.
- Drains in your sinks at toilets can get clogged up, causing a slow leak that builds up over time, or a quick and messy overflow of raw sewage. If your toilet is running too long, or if you notice water backing into the shower or an adjacent sink, that’s a sure sign of a clogged drain. The water damage from severe overflow is immediate, but slower leaks can cause ruin between your walls and beneath your flooring.
- Hoses and joints on your toilet system, that are loose or corroded, can cause the same type of damage we described above. If you notice water buildup around the base of your toilet, don’t wait to take action.
- Appliances with weak or rusty pipes can also cause leaks- both sudden and gradual. A dishwasher with a broken latch, or that had the wrong soap put into it, can cause an overwhelming mess. Dishwashers, water tanks, and washing machines are the most likely appliances to spring a leak.
- Pipes within and beneath your home can cause quite a flood if they happen to break. Frozen pipes that crack from pressure, or pipes that have been ruptured by tree roots, can be disastrous. If you notice a minor leak near your sink, take action immediately, because it may be a sign of larger leaks that remain unseen.
- HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning units) issues can also lead to water damage, mainly around the walls and ceiling adjacent to the unit itself. This is caused by condensation buildup from worn out parts. But if the pan itself is damaged, it can overflow onto the floor.
- Natural disasters are often the most devastating type of water damage to occur to a home. Floods, roof damage from severe storms, and the resulting onslaught of precipitation can be ruinous and costly.
The best way to avoid water damage is to take preventative measures. Stay mindful of the areas under your sink, around your toilets and appliances, and your even crawl space if your home has one. Be on the lookout for unexpected moisture, and take immediate action if anything seems amiss.
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