Flooding is common in almost every home and, if not treated as soon as possible, can cause a lot of damage and sometimes be costly in the long run. It happens when there is standing or pooling water where it is unwanted, affecting the structure and personal property, as well as being a direct health hazard due to growing molds. Many causes of water damage can be broken down into natural causes and manmade wear and tear on the home’s systems.
Even though it is essential to be aware of the main types of water contamination, it is even more critical for a homeowner to learn the leading causes of water damage and how to prevent them so that there would be no major damage requiring professional water damage restoration Long Beach.
Here are some of the most common causes of water damage:
Leaking or Burst Pipes: As much as water damage is a common problem in most homes, one of the leading causes is water dripping from a leaking or burst Pipe. The leading causes of pipe bursts are freezing due to the pipe’s age, rust, and corrosion, or high water pressure. Even a tiny crack may only be discovered for a short time, and, as a result, significant portions of the walls, ceiling, and floor may be severely damaged. Some bursts can affect a whole section, and it becomes practical to manage the spillage and replace any damages caused by the burst pipes.
Faulty Appliances: Washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators, and other home appliances, when they break down, bring about water damage. Loose hoses or connections and possibly old or worn ones are usually found to be the cause. A damaged washing machine hose could cause a lot of water damage within a laundry room or nearby areas. Such an occurrence can be prevented through constant checkups and replacing worn-out vehicle parts.
Clogged Gutters: Call it an overflow drain; it must be noted that gutters are meant to channel rainwater away from a home’s foundation. But when such containers have been filled with leaves, dirt, or debris, the streams of water are likely to overflow and get into the roof or surround the foundation. In the long run, it causes roof leaks, damages, and foundations, among other things, such as the formation of molds. Gutters should also be cleaned and maintained so that there will be only a few times that one has to suffer from water damage.
Roof Leaks: Water seeping through the roof poses a great danger to the house, particularly when the situation is not addressed earlier. It can be caused by aged and worn-out Shingles, the absence of the same, poorly installed or rotted flashing, and blocked gutters, among other things. Water can leak into an attic and then spread downwards through ceilings, walls, and insulation, causing structural damage and fostering mold formation. Timely roof repair is important to avoid much loss by water seepage.
Natural Disasters: Among natural hazards, floods, heavy storms, and hurricanes can become a source of significant water damage to houses. Flood water may rise to the basements, ground floors, and upper floors during severe flooding. Despite this, it is very important to take specific measures, such as erecting proper barriers and flood doors, pumping out systems such as sump pumps, and correct drainage systems, which should be used to reduce the effects of natural disasters. Consequent disasters, especially those related to water, usually require much cleaning, drying, and reconstruction.
Sewage Backups: Sewage backup is characterized by a situation when wastewater, which cannot pass through the drainage system, flows back into the home through such fixtures as toilets, sinks, and drains. With this type of water damage, one must commend themselves for being lucky since the kind of water accompanying it has health implications for the people. These may be due to the sewer line blockage due to the freeze-up of sludge, intrusion by tree roots, or heavy rain. Sewage backups need professional water damage restoration services because of the danger of pathogen growth during cleaning and disinfection.
Foundation Cracks: If there are cracks on the foundation of a home, this means that water is likely to penetrate the basement or, in cases of a crawl space, and this would, in turn, give rise to dampness and mold, among other problems. Horizontal foundation cracks may be physically construction-related, soil movement, or water damage retrogression. Sometimes, we observe cracks on the foundation of the house and slope the ground around the house to repair them promptly so water has no chance to seep through the cracks, and we do not have to use the water damage restoration service.
Final Thoughts
The sources of water damage can be numerous, even where each presents specific difficulties. Expected and scheduled maintenance, prompt response to the signals for getting repairs, and constant preventative actions let homeowners avoid severe water damage and, thus, avoid turning to water damage restoration services.