Imagine a hole in the roof of your house. It has been there for a long time now, but you were not able to detect it. As you reside comfortably in your house, you are not aware how much damage a simple hole in your roof can do, until a puddle appears at your living room. You'll then have to replace a big part of your ceiling or worse, even the wood braces that hold your ceiling which got so soaked with water. That's when the hard lesson would really set in for you: water damage is physical damage translating directly to your damaged budget.

To avoid learning this lesson, you might want to prevent water damage in your home or work area by first learning where to look for and identifying the causes of such type of damage. Periodic inspection would ensure that your building is always in good condition for years to come, thereby retaining its market value and saving you from very high repair costs in cases of water damage.

Take a look at the usual causes of water damage. The weather, obviously, can be a major cause of damage. The extent of damage would depend on how strong a tropical storm, a tornado or a hurricane is. Any preparation is a moot point if you're hit by the likes of Hurricane Katrina. You might as well save your family and yourself than worrying about your home. But a much lesser tropical storm sustaining heavy rains can also cause significant water damage to your house, especially if a few holes in your roof have not been patched.

Another potential source is leaks in the plumbing system, often attributed to failures in joints or hose attachment. Water lines may also be accidentally damaged slightly by some domestic activities like digging in the backyard. A simple wall puncture where pipes are embedded can also lead to water damage as gradual wear and tear sustains and nurtures a leak without you knowing. Internal wall leaks are not easy to find out and can cause greater damage if left undiscovered through time.

Clogged pipelines like toilets and drains are not only major sanitation problems. Trapped water can also cause water damage by faster wear and tear of areas where water stays. It is mainly caused by poor garbage disposal and damage in pipes brought about by growth of roots, especially of trees, in sewer lines. The leading causes of clogs are soap scum, grease and hair. Yucky, but oh so true!

Appliances like water heaters, washers, and dryers are also contributors, when they crack and sustain leaks, leading to water damage. Aside from poor performance and higher operating costs, neglected air conditioners also bring about water damage in form of molds and growth of other water-borne bacteria as encouraged by moisture in the cooling system. Lastly, you might also want to check your basement regularly, especially during more humid time periods

The bottom line is, be proactive rather than reactive in dealing with water damages to your home. Read the signs that your house and environs tell you.