Water damage can happen at any time. From plumbing leaks to faulty or broken appliances, water overflow has the potential to cause some serious damage, especially if it’s not taken care of right away. In order to reduce common risks like mold growth, foundational issues, and flooding caused by water damage, use these tips from ServiceMaster Restore to effectively maintain your fixtures and appliances.
Broken or Leaking Pipes
Leaking or broken water pipes are among the most common causes of water damage to a home. If a pipe ruptures in your home, serious water damage can occur. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in water pressure or freezing temperatures to cause pipes to burst. Even a minor dripping leak can lead to substantial water damage over time. However, not all water damage is visible. Plumbing or drain damage can often be unseen and can go unnoticed within the walls of your home or in areas that are not highly trafficked.
To guard against leaks, inspect your home often for signs of leaking pipes. Early moisture detection can prevent more extensive damage down the line. If a pipe does burst, call a professional immediately. Early moisture detection can prevent more extensive damage down the line. If you suspect there may be an unseen leak, there are some signs of water damage to watch out for including listening at night for any sounds of dripping water or looking out for water rings or stains. If a pipe does burst and there is considerable damage to your home, call a water damage professional to ensure that the proper steps are taken to restore your property to normal.
Water Overflow
Forgetting to turn off the sink or tub faucet can lead to a soggy problem fast. Water overflow caused by sinks or toilets can wreck flooring and carpeting, and even break through a downstairs ceiling if ignored long enough. If not completely cleaned up and restored right away, you may also experience permanently damaged wood and mold growth. Remember to always keep an eye on running faucets. To ensure your toilets don't overflow, know how to turn off the water supply on each toilet at the valve located on the wall.
If you're unable to reach your faucet or the taps won't close, turn off the main water supply lines to your home to avoid further damage. If the damage is minor, you can call a plumber and a repairman to help fix the issue and the related minor damage, but extensive damage may require calling a water damage restoration expert. Acting quickly is key to avoid costly damage to your home and belongings.
Faulty Household Appliances
Malfunctioning and clogs can cause appliances to leak. A dishwasher leak, for instance, can cause water damage to cabinetry and lead to warped wood or mold growth. Refrigerators may have a clogged pipe or leaking defrost pan that needs to be addressed. Likewise, washing machines and HVAC units can become worn with time and start to leak unless they're regularly maintained.
The fact is, if there is water where you can see it, there is very likely water where you can't. That's where the serious water damage can occur. If your dishwasher or other appliance has a leak, clean up the leakage as quickly as possible and have your appliance repaired or replaced. Calling a professional for regular maintenance is the first step to preventing water damage to your home. If the leakage is extensive, you'll need to call emergency mitigation services to ensure that the water flow is stopped and the damage is contained and restored.
Clogged Gutters
Gutters are meant to direct water away from your home during a severe storm. A clogged gutter can cause water to overflow and slowly seep into your property through roof leaks, damaged siding, or a damaged foundation. Periodic cleaning is important to ensure that your gutters are free of any debris. Twice a year, take the time to remove any leaves, twigs, seed pods, and other blockage from your gutters. A gutter specialist is recommended, but if you're planning on cleaning your own gutters, follow proper safety precautions.
Sewage Backups
Sewer backups are either caused by brutal storms or tree roots blocking your home's pipes. Both of these instances can lead to catastrophic water overflow, especially if you aren't able to act fast.
To guard against the risk of tree roots blocking your pipes, have a sewer expert clean out your sewer line every other year. While you can't combat a storm, we recommend contacting your insurance agent to discuss which homeowner policy can protect you against water damage caused by sewer backups.
Prevent Long Last Effects From Water Damage
Even with the best precautions, it can be difficult to guard against all the causes of water damage in the home. If damage does occur because of plumbing leaks or water overflow, call on ServiceMaster Restore to act fast and restore your home back to normal. Our experts will analyze your damage and create a unique, comprehensive restoration plan to get your home up and running as soon as possible.