Water is the most magnificent element that we have to use for our survival on this planet. We absolutely can not live without it. We use it for so many different things from drinking, to bathing, even to generate energy. We use it in our homes on a daily basis and it would be impossible to run a home without it. In our day and age, our water is contained and runs through a network of pipes throughout our homes so we can have access to it in the rooms where we need it the most.

When water gets to places where it does not need to be is when it can become a destroyer instead of a helper. As long as we keep the water in the pipes where it should be until we are ready to use it somewhere, everything is fine. When it comes in contact with certain things for a long enough period of time it can cause damage.

Inside the home water can cause mold when leaks develop in our plumbing and go undetected for a while. Mold has become serious business because of all the adverse affects that it can have on our health. When mold is left undetected and it begins to spread throughout the home behind walls and underneath floors, it can virtually destroy the value of a house. The best way to combat mold is to watch for any plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or appliance leaks anywhere. This can help to spot small patches of mold before it has time to spread.

Uncontrolled water can also cause rotting to wood. The most common place for rotting wood to occur is on our rooftop. This can happen because of shingles or gutters that have been compromised or damaged. Water damage to a roof can be very costly to repair too when it is left to spread all over. Mold can also develop in the rotting wood and begin to grow in the attic if the leak is not repaired. Plumbing leaks underneath wooden cabinets can cause wood rooting to the cabinet, wall, and floor and mold will grow there too.

Water that causes rust to things will generally be more prone to happen outside the home. This is because we store many things like bicycles, lawn chairs, barbeque grills, lawn mowers, or even metal gardening tools outside. While the majority of people will try to keep these items in some sort of storage facility like an outbuilding or the garage, quite often we are lax with their care and leave them out and exposed to the elements. Eventually this can cause rusting to develop. Rust can be removed by sanding or special cleaners, but it is better to keep metal objects dry.