Last Updated on November 28, 2022 by Mamoona Mushtaq
Taking preventive measures to protect your home and the health of your loved ones is key to improving your living situation as a homeowner. However, there are certain structural damages and health problems that are way beyond our control. In the case of water damage, it could be caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and wild thunderstorms. When such things happen, not every homeowner has the luxury of time to deal with the aftercare by themselves alone.
The best thing you could do is to be proactive and know the causes of water damage to prevent the effects of water damage as much as possible. Take note of these 5 most common causes of residential water damage that you should avoid.
1. Pipe leaks and clogged drains
When your drain pipes are obstructed, there’s a tendency that grey water to overflow. Or else, if the drain pipes are not completely clogged, it could increase the water pressure inside the pipes which could damage your piping system and consequently result in major pipe leaks. When the leaking is located in an area close to walls or floors made of porous or absorbent material, water seepage is more likely to occur; if this gets ignored, it is more likely the bacteria and mold will thrive due to moisture.
Take note that mold spores and mildew are expected to grow within 24 to 48 hours on damp surfaces. If you have a grave mold growth problem, consult an EMS specialist right away to make sure your indoor air quality is good and away from the toxins produced by mold infestation.
2. Leaking roof
Once your roof starts leaking incessantly, expect pooling water on your floors. When this happens, it will affect not only your floors but also your ceiling. Due to the dripping water, it can warp your ceilings and water seepage on such areas can also result in water stains.
The only thing you can do is locate the origin of the problem and repair the part of your roof where the water leaking is evident. Most of the time, caulking the roof cracks is a good solution but if the leaking problem persists, it’s a good indicator that your roof needs professional service and care. Has your damaged roof been repaired right away to avoid warped ceilings and water pooling?
3. Faulty appliances
You can always invest in good appliances to make your daily tasks easier to complete. But remember that even all good things must come to an end, the same goes with your appliances. Poorly designed or overused appliances tend to get problematic in the long run, especially those that use water. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines constantly use water to operate, and once water leaks happen, expect water pooling to happen in no time.
Make sure your appliances are well maintained and if your money allows, invest in branded and reliable products that are built to last. If great damage has been done to your home, don’t hesitate to avail of water mitigation services in Olathe and get the best professional water damage restoration services that your home deserves.
4. Busted sump pump
If there’s an ingenious solution to basement flooding, sump pumps are what will most like come to mind. Sump pumps operate by sucking out moisture and water from the saturated soil surrounding your house. Afterward, this device will pump out water from its reservoir and redirect the collected water somewhere else away from your home to prevent floodwater from reaching your home, thus effectively preventing flooding.
However, once it gets busted, I’m afraid you might have to deal with the consequences of flooding and trapped water in your basement. With the right knowledge and equipment, water damage mitigation experts are more than happy to restore your home and give you tips and recommendations to prevent such unfortunate events from happening in the future.
5. Storms
The most likely cause of major flooding that could greatly affect the structure of your home is heavy storms. Especially if storms have damaging winds, stormwater can penetrate your home especially if your windows are not properly sealed and cracks in your floors and walls are present.
Moreover, hail storms can also compromise your roof due to the wind and hail. This not only loosens your roof shingles but also promotes mold growth due to the moisture created by floodwater. During the mitigation process, a certified EMS serviceman will properly inspect your house for damages, assess the severity of the problem, come up with a concrete plan of action, and begin the restoration. Problems like this should not be left unchecked and must be addressed immediately.
Prevention is key
To avoid expensive repair costs, the best thing you could do is avoid these problems in the first place. Of course, this requires responsibility and consistency when checking for potential problems around your home. The trick here is to find a way to integrate a proactive approach to your way of living. Better yet, ask for advice and recommendations from a reliable EMS specialist to guide you through the mitigation process and get tips on how to prevent future outcomes of water damage.
