Water damage occurs when excess water begins to pool in areas where it shouldn’t. Many different factors can create this excess water and contribute to water damage. When you are aware of the potential causes, you can take precautionary measures to help insure against a leak or flood. The more quickly you notice the problem, the less work the water damage restoration company will have to fix.
The top 10 causes of water damage include:
- Drains Stop Draining
Drains that get backed up and blocked can leave standing water and eventually cause undue pressure in the pipe, which then causes it to burst or leak.
- Leaking Garbage Disposal
As the unit ages, the bottom housing can springs leaks and flood cabinets with a mixture of food waste and water. If this happens, the disposal need to be replaced.
- Running/Dripping Toilet
A running toilet can do more than make an annoying sound; it can lead to water damage if left alone long enough. Sometimes the cause is nothing more than a part that isn’t sitting right. A leaking toilet wastes a great deal of water and has a greater chance of overflowing and causing water damage.
- Backed Up Sewer Lines
Backed up sewers can wreak havoc on a home, causing thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems. Blockages due to tree roots or heavy rainfall can cause sewer lines to back up.
- Sump Pump Failure
Water damage in the basement is quite common. However, no one ever said that is convenient. Either a defective pump, and old pump, or a power outage can prevent the pump from working.
- Leaking Air Conditioner
Air conditioners in particular require regular servicing, and when not maintained properly they can cause moisture buildup. When the moisture cools, it can interact with mold spores in the air conditioning ducts and encourage mold to grow inside.
- Water Heater Leaks
A water heater leak may seem like just a minor nuisance, but it can quickly turn into a big problem. Even a small amount of water will cause damage to your floors, sub-floors, and walls. In extreme cases, a catastrophic and complete water heater failure can cause a significant flood that could lead to hefty repair bills and damaged personal property.
- Washing Machine Line Bursts
As household appliances get older, pipes begin to rust and crack and hoses can weaken. Washing machines are susceptible to deterioration, so keep watch on older machines.
- Freezing Temperatures Burst Pipes
Dropping winter temperatures can cause extensive water damage as pipes begin to freeze and burst, causing damage to walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, furniture and other possessions. Even a small crack in your water pipe can leak enough water to flood your home.
- Frozen Fire Sprinkler
When any portion of a sprinkler system is exposed to freezing temperatures, water in the piping can turn to ice, expand in volume, and produce thousands of pounds of pressure. The pressure can force sprinklers to operate and break fittings. As a result, water leaks from the system when the ice thaws.
It doesn’t take much water to do some serious damage to your home. Water Damage Recovery is a leading cleanup and restoration company serving the Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento areas. Since 1997 we have helped over 22,000 residential and commercial property owners minimize property loss while restoring their building to its safe, pre-incident condition. For more information on services we provide call 510.351.7510.