The Top 5 Reasons for Water Damage

2/6/2019 (Permalink)

By regularly taking a few precautions, you may be able to prevent costly water damages.

Discovering that your property is destroyed by a leak or a flood can be devastating, and repairing water-damaged walls and floors is often very expensive. Water damage and frozen pipes are the third most common reason for property owners to file insurance claims, with damages averaging at approximately $8,000.00 per claim.

The good news is that most water damages can be prevented. By looking out for plumbing problems, leaks and other issues you may be able to prevent water from destroying your property.

Plumbing issues

Water damage is often caused by plumbing issues. That’s why it’s important to inspect the plumbing systems on your property at least once a year to ensure that there aren’t any problems with hoses or pipe joints. You should also keep in mind that plumbing pipes have a long lifespan. Brass pipes can last for as many as 70 years while copper pipes can last for more than 50 years. The average lifespan for galvanized steel pipes is often between 20 and 50 years.

Drain pipes are usually made of either cast iron (which can last for as many as 100 years) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Properly maintained PVC pipes can last indefinitely. Check your home inspection report or consult a licensed plumber to learn about the lifespan of the plumbing pipes in your home.

If your water bill is unusually high, that might be an indication of an undetected leak. Purchasing a water leak sensor that sends alerts to your phone is one way to safeguard your property. You should also check around your toilets, tubs, showers and sinks for any soft spots or moisture. Keep an eye out for loose tiles as well. If you have a dishwasher or a refrigerator with a water line, look for warped or discolored floorboards.

Washing machine leaks

Unless you’re doing laundry, you probably don’t think twice about your washing machine. But if it breaks down, the results could be catastrophic. For example, if the supply hose is damaged or has a faulty connection to the wall or washing machine, more than 600 gallons of water could potentially spill out within an hour. That could lead to significant water damage, especially if your washing machine is located on the second floor of your home.

To prevent water damage, you should replace your washing machine supply hose at least once every five years. Also, resist the temptation to overload your washing machine. Bu constantly overloading your washing machine, you could loosen gaskets and valves or cause cracks. Take care of your washing machine and your washing machine will take care of you.

Bursting water pipes

During severely cold winters, pipes can freeze and burst. This is more likely to happen if you have certain types of pipes, such as swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and pipes with minimal insulation that run against exterior walls.

If temperatures often freeze in your area, as they do in ours, be sure to protect your pipes. Insulate both hot and cold water pipes using heat tape or pipe sleeves available in your home improvement store. If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the garage door closed as often as possible. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate. If you plan to spend some time away from your property, leave the heat on and set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees. You can’t control the weather, but you can do your best to prepare for it.

Aging water heaters

Water heaters have a shelf life. You can wait until your water heater starts leaking to replace it. But if you’re being proactive about avoiding water damage, you should replace it every 10 years. A tankless water heater can last for as many as 20 years.

You can find out how old your water heater is by looking up the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker near the top of the water heater. Make sure to regularly inspect your water heater to check for signs of moisture build-up, mold or corrosion. If your water isn’t as hot as it used to be or there’s rust coming from your faucets, it’s time to call a plumber or water heater specialist.

Inclement weather

Snow may look beautiful. But if your property isn’t weatherproof, a bad snowstorm could damage your roof, walls and ceiling. Make sure your property is ready for inclement weather by ensuring that your rain gutters and downspouts are clean. You should also check doors and windows to ensure that your caulking hasn’t cracked.

If it snows where you live, be wary about the formation of ice dams on your roof. This happens when the heat inside your home causes water to melt in the middle of your roof. The water then refreezes near the edges, forming a dam that prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up can leak into your property and damage ceilings, walls and other areas of your home. To prevent ice dams from forming, insulate your attic to keep heat from rising and reaching the roof.

Inspect roofs annually. Professional roof contractors look for exterior and interior warning signs that your roof’s condition may lead to water damage, including cracked or missing shingles and areas where water is prone to pool. An inspection may cost several hundred dollars, but can save you thousands in damages, as well as providing peace of mind which no one can put a dollar amount on.

SERVPRO of The East End

For as many precautions as property owners can take to prevent water damage, water damages still occur. At SERVPRO of The East End, we have been in the business of mitigating water damage, fire damage, mold issues and more for over 40 years. Our IICRC trained and certified team are available 24/7 to be 'Faster to any size disaster' and we will make it "Like it never even happened." Give us a call at 631-653-9595 to discuss your cleaning and restoration issues at any time you need our help.