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It can happen to any household, at any time. There’s a billion ways it can happen. You walk in, and notice that the entire floor is soaked. This is the extreme scenario. In another, common and more subtle version, a small unchecked leak causes thousands of dollars of damage over the course of a long period of time. Here’s the 4 major causes of residential water damage that require professional intervention.
Nature
You can’t help this. Homes in certain locations are more vulnerable than others. Natural disasters like hurricanes or storms can flood your home with water – and if your home is within a flood zone, just a moderate rainstorm can cause rampant overflowing in nearby creeks or streams, causing water to enter your home. Earthquakes or tremors can make your water pipes crack, causing flooding. There’s no way to prevent a natural disaster from happening, but when it does, it’s important to do everything that you can to safely mitigate the damage.
Toilets
This is truly a nightmare to see, but it can occur easily if the water from the toilet gets on or into the floors and walls of your home. Clogged toilets can be easily fixed with plunger to minimize potential damage, however if the toilet has a more pressing internal problem, like a broken water valve or other components, controlling the water flow can be much harder. Make sure to inspect the tank and water valve of your toilet once a year to make sure that it’s working correctly and determine if any parts need to get changed. Replacing any of these parts in advance may just save you having to pay to repair extensive damage to your home.
Roof Leaks
Well installed roofs should last up to 10 years without repair, depending on what the weather and climate is like in your area. Since they are so susceptible to the weather, every roof, regardless of the skill with which it was installed, will eventually start letting water inside it – which can cause major damage over time. After every huge storm – and on an annual basis – inspect your roof, especially around areas like vents or chimneys where there are openings. If your roof is old (over 10 years) make sure to get it inspected by a professional, and consider installing a metal roof that lasts longer than other models.
Broken Appliances
Home appliances that directly connect to your water supply – like water tanks, dishwashers, refrigerators with faucets, or washing machines – can all cause flooding. All these devices need is a broken connection that lets water to leak out – and even if it’s a small leak, it can cause major repair prices if it’s so small it doesn’t get noticed for weeks or even months. These leaks usually start at the point where the appliance connects with the home’s water pipes – but it is also possible that the hose of the device has small flaws that let water leak through it. Make sure to inspect the connections between your water pipes and appliances on a regular basis – let’s say monthly. Check out the area around the appliance to see if there’s any water around it; it’s always smart to do this, because catching a leak early can prevent you from having to spend lots of money on repairs – and leaks often have their damaging potential increase exponentially over time.
