Common Causes Of Water Damage In Your Home

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Flooding can result in soaked carpets, warped floors, and severe health issues. Even worse, water damage could weaken your home's foundation. Luckily, water damage restoration professionals can restore your home's former glory after you experience severe water damage. 

Check out several causes of water damage and the preventive measures you can take. 

Faulty Appliances

Old and faulty appliances in your home can cause water damage, with water heaters and washing machines as some of the culprits. For instance, an old or poorly maintained water heater can develop leaks at the tank's bottom. A faulty drain valve can also cause water heater leaks.  

So, inspect your water heater regularly to ensure it's in the best shape always. If your old water heater loses efficiency due to old age, you can replace it with a tankless water heater (comes with more than 20 years of life expectancy).

Even a pinhole leak that stems from your washing machine can cause extensive water damage to your home. The supply lines that feed water into your washing machine can succumb to pressure and will eventually rupture.

If the lines have braided stainless steel construction, the risk of damage is minimal. However, PVC or rubber water supply lines easily deteriorate and burst. Consequently, the burst lines eventually wreak havoc if you fail to close the water supply right away. 

To prevent water damage, inspect and replace the supply hose when necessary. Also, install an automatic shutoff system that closes the water valve once it detects pooling water on the floor. A leak alarm can also come in handy to ensure the best protection. Ask your water damage expert for more solutions that can fit your needs. 

Severe Weather

Severe weather (like hurricanes or thunderstorms) can damage your home significantly. A snowstorm or a heavy downpour can ruin your walls, roof, and ceiling. If your area is prone to floods, these adverse weather conditions can trigger flash floods. Luckily, you can take some measures to mitigate water damage due to severe weather. 

Firstly, clear all leaves and debris that can clog your gutters and downspouts. With clogged gutters, water can't drain properly. Runoff water overflows and collects near your home's foundation or basement. The water can cause wall, ceiling, and floor damage or even cause foundation cracks. 

The excess moisture also promotes mold growth. You may also notice an awful odor that stems from your basement. But with clean gutters and downspouts, water flows unimpeded, and you won't experience any surprise water damage. 

Also, ensure your sump pump is functional. Basement flooding can wreak serious havoc if your sump pump fails. So, ensure you inspect and service your sump pump regularly to ensure it removes excess water removal from your basement effectively. 

If you sustain water damage due to faulty appliances or severe weather conditions, contact water damage restoration experts for help. With the right help, your home will be as good as new. 

For more information on water damage restoration, contact a company near you.


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