A leaking pipe that releases water in droplets may not scare you as much as a broken pipe that shoots water to your roof. But, the two equally cause considerable water damage that affects buildings on many levels.

Water damage causes your wood floors to warp, ruins your paint, and causes water contamination. Water also encourages mold growth and encourages vermin infestation. If left unattended, the water also makes your walls start cracking and weakens your home’s foundation.

The thing with water damage is that it is deceptively costly. It may seem that all it would take after having an inch of water flooding your house is aerating the house and letting all the moisture dry. But, there have been cases where homeowners have had to pay thousands of dollars in repair costs. Water damage also depreciates your property considerably, which translates to losses in the house’s resale value, going up to tens of thousands of dollars.

The way to protect your home from water damage is to be aware of the most common causes of residential water damage and take precautions against them.

Most Common Causes of Water Damage

Plumbing System Leaks

The most common cause of water damage is a leak in the water’s pathway, the plumbing system. The problem with these leaks is that they are not easy to anticipate because most of the piping is on the ground or wall. Unless the pipe is under the sink, all you can see is the resultant damage.

Examples of changes you might see include a section of the wall that is wet to the touch, paint that has started to peel, mold spores growing on your walls, or a peeling ceiling. Parts of your wooden flooring or wall may also be swollen up from soaking up water. So, be on the lookout for any signs of moisture on your floor, walls, and ceilings.

Also, be sure to check areas that are prone to having standing water, such as the attic, crawl spaces, and cabinets. If you see any sign of water damage in them, contact plumbing experts immediately.

Clogged Downspouts and Gutters

Most homeowners overlook the gutters in their maintenance activities. They only get to them when the gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks, debris, and vegetation is growing out of them. The dirt causes them to clog. So, when it rains, or when the snow melts, pools of water form and overflow, running down the sides of your house and damaging your ceilings, walls, and floors.

Sometimes, the water gets to the underside of your house and pools at the foundation, causing cracking. If you have a basement, you may start to see mold growth and an awful stench.

Faulty Appliances

After using your cleaning appliances for a while, their pipes and hoses can rust, weaken, and break. Even if they are not old, appliance malfunctions may cause them to leak water. Examples of these appliances are your washing machines, water heater, and dishwasher.

A refrigerator may also cause water damage if water pools at the bottom of it. Also, water may leak if the pipe that supplies water to your ice machine is damaged. So, inspect your electrical appliances regularly for leaks, especially if they have been in use for a while.

Busted Water Pipes

Pipes in your house could burst open, but it mostly happens when there are drastic temperature drops. The ice forming in the pipes expands, causing them to burst. Old rusty pipes are more likely to burst. So, consider replacing your old pipes with new ones. Inspect all the water supply lines in your property and fix any plumbing issues.

Septic Tank and Sewage Overflow and Backup

If your home has a septic tank underneath, you need to be very careful about it. The tank could fill up, or heavy rains could fill and overflow it. When this happens, the organic matter backs up into your home through the drains. There is no telling the kind of gross sight this would be.

A sewage spill is a water damage emergency. If it happens in your home, evacuate all the people, turn off the electricity and water supply, and phone the plumber for a water damage cleanup. Also, call a sewage cleanup expert to sump pump the dirt and water.

Know that sewage cleanup is a dangerous and tedious job. Please do not attempt to do it yourself. Exposing yourself to this dirt without any protective measures could cause you some health problems later. You may also aggravate the flooding issue, causing more problems. Leave the job to the experts because they have knowledge and experience of what to do.

Adverse Weather

Sometimes, the water damage in your home has nothing to do with the plumbing or your house installations. Adverse weather like too much snow, excessive rain, or flooding could cause considerable water damage to your property. If you live in an area that is prone to these weather elements, insure your house so that you will not have to incur the cost of the water damage restoration services.

Take Prompt Action After Home Water Damage

Be on the lookout for any of the signs around your home. If you find any, take prompt action and contact a water damage restoration company to fix the water source and begin the water damage restoration process.

It would help if you had an insurance company to cover the cost of the water damage repair activities. So, take up a homeowners insurance policy early enough. It should cover damage caused by theft, fire, hail, storm damage, and lightning strikes, explosions, and water damage. But, some do not cover earthquakes and flooding.

So, take time to evaluate the policies of your chosen insurance company before you take up their services. Ensure that they cover most of the dangers your area is susceptible to.

Choose Arizona Construction & Restoration for Water Damage Repair Services

For premier water damage restoration services, choose ACR. We are a highly efficient company with a day or night emergency response service. We do sewage cleanup, fire, smoke cleanup, and remove water, mold, lead, and asbestos.

We also offer content pack-out and restoration services to salvage your furniture, appliances, clothes, and other contents. We keep them safely tacked away as the restoration activities begin, then shift you back to your home or office when the repair work is done.

For more information about our services, visit us in Phoenix, Arizona, 85034. You can also call 480-618-1389 to request an appointment or to notify us of your situation.