Where to Look for Water Damage at Home

9/3/2021 (Permalink)

No one dreams gleefully about waking to water damage—those dreams are always nightmares. Sadly, these nightmares occasionally come true, and they occur on their own timetables, giving us little or no notice.

Water is always on the prowl, looking for any crack or gap through which it can flow and explore new spaces. It’s critical to know the ways water might cause a ruckus at home, so let’s look at a few of the common culprits.

Toilets. Toilets are one of the most-used items at home, and over time, flappers and wax seals can fail and allow water to leak through the floor.

Appliances. Water tanks, washing machines and dishwashers can all develop leaks over time. Hoses and connections may corrode or dry and crack, creating opportunities for fissures, leaks, and with older water heaters, full-on explosions.

Clogged gutters. Months of dirt, fallen leaves and debris can gunk up those gutters and send water up into your roof when heavy rains come. Gutter backup overflows and manifests itself in soggy ceilings, cracked or bubbling paint, or pooled water by the walls.

Roof damage. Roof damage is a malicious storm’s favorite friend, as it allows easy access into your home. Heavily aged roofing, fallen limbs or large hailstones can create problems for your roof that allow water to set up shop in your attic or upper level.

Pipes. Aged or damaged pipes are a leading cause of water damage—corrosion or rust, frozen pipes in winter or even tree roots finding a crack in outdoor lines can cause big headaches for homeowners.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Disposals and drains can clog because of excess or difficult-to-process food particles, and under-sink pipes can give way under the force of repeated plunging if joints are loose, leaving you with a mess of water and bits of leftovers all over the floor.

Pipes, home appliances and roofs all have limited lifespans, and it’s on you to keep up with routine maintenance and necessary updates. If you catch trouble before it gives way to a leak or burst, you’ll be much happier. Sweet dreams indeed.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.