Flood water can come into your house from various places and cause extensive water damage to your possessions. Below are just some of the most common causes of water damage.
- Faulty and old plumbing and frozen pipes can often lead to leaks. These leaks are often responsible for long-term water damage as they are not easily detectable. - Clogged gutters and drains can also lead to overflowing of sewage water. This can enter your house and cause water damage not to mention the health hazards it poses. - Incorrectly installed windows, doors and ventilators can become openings for water to enter your house, especially in the rainy season. - Your HVAC or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning can also be responsible for water damage. If it is not working properly, is inappropriately installed or is not properly maintained, it can lead to a build-up of moisture in the house. This in turn will lead to water damage, especially to your wooden furniture. - Old, rusted and improperly maintained home appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers may develop leaks and cause water damage to your property. - In cold places, ice dams can form on your roofs. Ice dams form due to improper insulation and they push moisture to the roof shingles and attics. This leads to further water damage to your house.
This list of causes of water damage is not comprehensive but it does point out some of the more common causes. Reading this list, we will realize that most of these causes are preventable. Regular repairs and maintenance of gutters, drains, and pipes can help in the prevention of leaks, overflows and accumulation of water. Proper maintenance of home appliances which use water can also help in minimizing water damage. Getting your property insured against flood damage will reduce the costs in case your house gets flooded.
Water damage proves to be a costly affair for the average US citizen. Costs can climb as high as $26000 for an American home which has been fully flooded yet still standing. Yet, even if the building is not flooded, water damage can be quite expensive. Leaks and excessive moisture and humidity can damage your property. The structure of the house may be damaged or may become weak due to unchecked and continuous leaks.
Water damage can also have certain hidden costs. Damp and moist areas are ideal breeding grounds for molds, fungi and bacteria. These are health hazards and pose a serious threat to your well-being. Water-damaged wood will lead to infection of termites and other household pests. These cause further damage to your property not to mention the risks that they are for your health.
As mentioned before, many of the causes of water damage are preventable. So do your best to minimize these causes by performing regular checks, maintenance and repairs in your house. This will not only prevent your property from water damage but also reduce your costs drastically.
Thankfully, not all causes of water damage are as hard to see as hidden pipes and moisture particles, or as difficult to predict as the weather. Some water damage causes are much easier to spot because they are laid out in plain view. This article covers the common visible causes of water damage at home and how homeowners can deal with them.
A Leaky Roof Roofing materials get battered and beaten by the weather until they're frayed and worn out. Shingles curl, dry up, and become brittle. Roof mats weaken and deteriorate, until they have holes, tears, and cracks. The normal wear and tear of a rooftop can quickly lure moisture and water damage into a home. A regular inspection of the roof will prevent it from becoming a cause of water damage. Replace any roofing materials that have worn out and keep the entire roof free from dirt, snow, and other debris.
A Leaky Chimney If the roof can leak, so can the chimney. The cap, the flashings, and the sealants around the chimney can all become sources of water and moisture intrusion. Include the chimney when inspecting the roof for leaks. Keeping the chimney clean and the chimney bricks waterproofed are vital to stopping it from becoming a cause of water damage.
A Poorly Insulated Attic Poor insulation in the attic translates to poor air ventilation. This can become a major water damage hazard especially during the winter season. If the warm air inside the house is able to flow out through the thin insulation, it could melt and turn the snow on the roof into a dangerous ice dam. Doubling the insulation in the attic can solve this problem. Increasing the air ventilation can also lower the attic's potential of becoming a water damage risk.
Badly Installed Windows and Doors Water and moisture can seep through the tiny cracks between doors and windows. Stop this from happening by making these entries to the house watertight. Reinforce the sealants around doors and windows and check if they have been installed correctly. If possible, place coverings over doors and windows during the rainy season to further protect against the onslaught of water and wind.
Blocked Gutters and Clogged Drains Fallen leaves, branches, and other rubbish can prevent water from properly draining through gutters and drains. If water is left to collect, it could cause the gutter to collapse or worse, it could slowly seep into the house. Keep waterways free and clear of anything. Allow water to flow away from the house so that it is not able to cause any damage.
Sloping Landscape A sloping landscape is only worrisome if it is sloping towards the house. If it is, then water can saturate and weaken the foundation. Adding water lines or drainages can help solve a landscaping problem. If budget allows, re-landscape the areas where water tends to pool to prevent any potential water damage.
Both Barney Ruch & Charmaine Pierce are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Barney Ruch has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Sewage and Home. Barney Ruch researches restoration items for homeowners for and. Barney Ruch's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Charmaine Pierce has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Sewage and Home Management. Charmaine Pierce speaks about homeowner issues for and. Charmaine Pierce's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.