Water Damage Repair – Understanding the Causes

Causes of Water Damage

Despite the importance of water in your homes, excess water can lead to significant damages. Simply put, water damage happens due to excess pooling of water in undesired areas. Unfortunacalltoy, water damage is the third cause of homeowners’ insurance claims, with an $8,861 average payout between 2011 and 2015. It is certainly devastating to learn that damages in your home were due to leaks or floods. Similarly, repairing damages caused by water can be expensive. Fortunacalltoy, most causes of water damage are preventable. Below are the top causes of water damage.

Leaking or Bursting Pipes

Plumbing systems are outrightly a common cause of water damage. Old pipes are susceptible to leaks and bursting. That aside, pipes can freeze and resultantly burst during cold seasons, such as winter. This often happens with specific pipes, such as water sprinkler pipes, swimming pool pipes, and any other pipes running against external walls with minimal insulation.

Note that a single small crack with an eighth of an inch width can lead to loss of up to 250 gallons of water daily. That said, always be on the lookout for signs of leaks, such as staining, rusting, and moisture on walls. Also, ensure that both hot and cold water pipes are always insulated if you live in freezing areas. An increase in water bill can also be a sign of leakage from your supply lines.

Installing leak detection systems is invaluable in detecting leaks that can lead to water damage. You can opt for passive leak detection tools, which are quite inexpensive. These systems send an alarm anytime there is a leak. Active detection systems similarly send an alarm and help in stopping the leak.

Air Conditioners

Home appliances such as air conditioners can also cause water damage. Air conditioners and any other appliance with pipes/tubes have the potential of leaking. If such leaks occur during odd hours, they can lead to significant water damage. Any functional conditioning unit has some condensation, where the moisture drips from the evaporator coil to the drain pan and out of your house through the condensate drain pipe. This process runs flawlessly for new units but may be impaired for old models with damaged or clogged drain lines. Leaks will most likely occur if the condensed water cannot drain from the drain pan. Dripping water from the air conditioner can damage the floors and walls.

Clogged Drains

Sink and bathroom drain pipes clog with ease due to dirt, hair, grease, and other waste flushed through. These pipes can also break down due to structural damage. Failure to clear clogged drains often leads to swelling and a resultant bursting of the pipes. Clogged pipes can also lead to secondary problems. For instance, a clogged toilet drain can lead to backed up flushes in the sink. As such, you should avoid clogged pipes by placing small screens that prevent the washing of unwanted materials into the drains. Flushing boiling water in the drains can also dissolve soap scum, grease, and other fragments from the pipes.

Weather-Related Issues

Overflowing dams, storms, and hurricanes can land excess water in your home, causing unexpected floods. For instance, snows have great sights but can damage your roof, ceiling, and walls if you haven’t weatherproofed your home. As such, you should prepare your home for inclement weather by installing functional gutters and downspouts. Regular cleaning and maintenance of these features are also prudent to avoid clogging.

Bottom Line

With water damage being among the leading cause of homeowners’ insurance claims, you should take proactive preventive measures. Other causes of water damage include malfunctioning sprinkler systems, leaking heaters and washing machines, and structural damage. Frequent maintenance of drains, weatherproofing your home, and servicing appliances can protect your home from unexpected water damage. For any water damage remediation, consider the experts at Classic Restoration!