What Are The Most Common Causes of Water Damage?

Avoiding A Soggy Mess

When it comes to your plumbing, we know that the best peace of mind to have is knowing that none of your pipes are leaking. A pipe leak can be annoying as it can make your water bill slowly rise without you knowing. Don’t forget about water damage too! Not only does water damage look unpleasant, but it can also be a breeding ground for mold and other nasty bacteria that can damage your home’s indoor air quality. Although water damage is annoying, it can be treated and often prevented. Here are some of the more common causes of water damage we see in many homes.

Leaky Pipes

A leaky pipe is the most apparent source of water damage because if you have a pipe leaking, that means water is pooling up somewhere. Whether behind your drywall or in the kitchen sink, a leaky pipe can cause surfaces to become water damaged fast!

The best course of action with a leaky pipe is to call a professional to discover if the problem is just a loose component or if something bigger is going on with your plumbing system. SIgns of leaky pipes include water where it shouldn’t be, water-damaged drywall, or even your energy bills spiking despite your usage of water not increasing.

Clogged Pipes

Interestingly enough, we have had homeowners think that they had a pipe leak when in reality, their pipes were clogged, which was the source of the water damage. A clogged pipe or drain can put a lot of strain on your plumbing system, and if the clog is severe enough, you can see backed-up water being to leak and even potentially cause some ruptures.

To spot a clog, you can frequently smell it around your drains. Clogged kitchen drains smell awful; you will know you have a clog, trust us. Sometimes you may notice your drain not emptying as quickly, which is often a good sign you have a clogged drain. Don’t reach for the drain cleaner, as those contain nasty chemicals which can do more harm than good.

Old Electrical Appliances

Whether you have an old dishwasher, washing machine, or HVAC unit, as time goes on, these appliances can get worn down, and often you will find yourself in need of repairs. Whether the issue is with a faulty fill valve or the refrigerant is on the fritz, you need to be aware of your appliance’s age. Keep an eye out for dark spots around the surfaces your appliances are near, even discoloration, to ensure no water damage has led to mold growth.

Home Services Restoration, LLC is here for all your home restoration needs! Call (240) 348-9566 and our team is more than happy to help you with any water damage you might be facing and guide you through restoring your home!