Water damage, especially in your carpets and flooring can be a major health concern in your home. Unfortunately, flooding and other sources of water damage are pretty common. Here are some of the most common sources of water damage and what to look out for in order to keep your home clean.
Leaky pipes
Pipes are a large source of water damage in your home. What starts out as a small leak can quickly become a lot of mold in your home. The biggest problem with leaky pipes is that they are often hidden away, so they can leak without you noticing for a long time, causing major damage. Check the areas where your pipes are tucked away, such as under the sink, for signs of water leaking. If you notice a small leak, take care of it right away instead of letting the problem build up.
Leaky appliances
We don’t always think about it, but many of the large appliances in your home use running water, including your washer, hot water heater, and refrigerator. If these appliances leak, they can release a large amount of water in a short amount of time, causing lots of issues. Make sure that you are caught up on maintenance on your appliances so that they are less prone to leak in the first place, and check the areas around and behind them regularly for signs of leaks.
Leaky roofs
As you can tell, leaks are one of the biggest causes of water in your home, and roofs are yet another thing that can leak. If you notice water dripping into your home during a rainstorm, you have an issue with a leaky roof. Consult a professional to fix the issue. Be sure to take care of the problem quickly, especially if you’re expecting bad weather in your area. In the meantime, place a large bucket under the leak to contain the water until it can be fixed.
Humidity issues
Some spaces in your house, such as basements and crawl spaces, are prone to experiencing higher humidity. This humidity can condense and collect on your wall, carpets and other surfaces, which will cause mold growth over time. The biggest issue with this type of damage is that it occurs slowly over time and is hard to notice until the damage has been done. If you know that your basement has a higher humidity, or you notice moisture on the windows or walls, run a dehumidifier in the space to keep it balanced, and have a professional assess the area for damage.
Running water
When water is left t running in or near a home it can cause water damage. Be sure to double check that you turn off your sinks, shower, sprinklers, and garden hoses after using them. Supervise young children in the tub, and don’t allow them to draw their own bathwater. It’s easy to think that you won’t forget to turn off your water, but it’s also easy to get distracted while watering the lawn, drawing a bath, or filling a sink to wash dishes, so take care.
Natural flooding
Occasionally natural events, such as big rainstorms, cause flooding in homes. While you can’t prevent weather events, you can usually predict them and you can help protect your home. If you live in an area prone to floods, you should take the proper precautions and have a detailed flood plan. However, if you live in an area that doesn’t often flood and is expecting a big storm that could cause temporary flooding, setting up sandbags around windows and other entrances can help reduce or prevent water damage to your home. Be sure to assess your home, especially the basement for flooding during a storm so you can treat the problem quickly.
Unfortunately, not all water damage can be prevented, even with your best efforts. If you encounter water damage in your home, the Southside Chem-Dry water damage repair experts are happy to assist you. We can identify the source of the issue, remove the water, and aid in clean-up. Our ultimate goal is to help you have a happy, healthy home!