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.