6 Causes of Water Damage And How To Get Your Property Back To Normal After Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common plumbing concerns in the USA. One of the biggest problems of water damage is that it is very slow and can often be hidden. But if you know about certain symptoms and signs you can easily identify the damage.
This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, and remedies of water damage.
Symptoms of water damage
- Dark and wet spots
- Crackling and weird noises from the water pipes
- Pool of water and puddles in unusual places
- A sudden increase in Utility bills
- Mould growth
- Excessive humidity
If one or more of the symptoms are persistent your property may be water damaged. Contact an expert plumber for remediations.
Causes of Water damage
Broken pipes due to freezing
Temperature can cause a pipe to freeze or break. During winter, the temperature can go below the capacity of pipes, and pipes exposed to cold weather can burst or break very easily. Some plumbers recommend going with the anti-freezing options for a better outcome.
Bad Plumbing
If you had a bad plumber to begin with, no kind of material can save you from water damage. Because plumbing is a very delicate operation and there are a lot of factors involved, any loose connections with pipes, valves, and faucets can introduce water damage to your property. If the installation is bad, to begin with, the appliances and parts will inevitably fail. That is why, always check for the plumber’s credentials and experience.
Flood water due to storms or natural disasters
Floods due to storms and heavy rainfall can significantly contribute to water damage. Flood water often gets into areas that are rarely cleaned and it sits there. After a while, it starts affecting the structure. Flood water also carries a lot of microbes and minerals which sits atop the surfaces of walls, ceilings, floors, etc, and starts damaging them. Floods can also occur due to plumbing system failure. In cases of flood, it is best to call an experienced plumber for restoration as soon as possible because you will need industry-grade water pumps to pump all the water out.
Clogged gutters
Dirt, grease, hair, and other items can quickly clog bathroom and sink drains. It’s not uncommon for pipes to burst and cause water damage. It is possible that diseases, illnesses, and worsened health issues will arise if drain obstructions are not cleaned. Damage to other parts of the home can result from clogged drains that are not addressed. A clogged toilet, for example, can cause your sink to overflow. Even the flooring and the wall support could be damaged. Drains can become clogged if there aren’t any screens in place to keep debris out. Every month, pouring boiling water down your drain can help dislodge soap scum, lard, and other clog-inducing substances.
Bathroom and Kitchen Appliances
It may seem a bit overstretched but your water heater can cause water damage as well. Water heater contains a lot of hot water in them. If there is a leak in the pipe or the valve is lost the water will drip at the floors starting water damage.
Rust and weakening of hoses and pipes can occur as appliances get older. To avoid an unpleasant mess, be sure to check on your dishwasher appliances regularly. Wearing gaskets and broken doors are among the most common causes. Ceramic tile, electrical cables, and even painted surfaces may be damaged by it.
Leaking hoses are the most common cause of washing machine flooding. Damage to your property can occur when the leak gets worse over time. A washing machine valve shutoff system can stop the 20-28 litres of water per 60 seconds from leaking into your home..
There is a lot of water that accumulates on the base of refrigerators. Additionally, clogs might occur in the drainpipes. If the water system line that supplies your ice maker has a leak, you may find yourself in a pool of water when you get home. Make sure your refrigerator is properly insulated to avoid floods. Always keep an eye out for signs of leaks by moving it only when absolutely necessary.
Structural damages and mould growth
If water seeps into spaces, it can lead to the growth of mold and start the deterioration of wooden structures. Check your house frequently for these warning signals. Keeping your gutters clean will keep unwanted water from harming your buildings and foundations. Other options include installing an alarm for humidity. Make sure the water pressure in your home is not excessive. Pipes and hoses can burst if the pressure is too high. Installing a pressure gauge will assist you in maintaining consistent pressure. If you live in a residence where the pressure of water cannot be controlled, a Water pressure regulator will come in handy.
Water damage remedies for your property
Water extraction and mitigation
The first step in preventing the majority of water damage is to entirely remove the water from the structure. This involves much more than a regular vacuum; it involves the use of specialised equipment that the majority of households and commercial properties do not possess.
A pump is initially used to remove the majority of the water. Later mops and other manual cleaners are used for proper water removal.
Dry out and cleanup
It takes time for wet building materials to dry out. The removal of building materials such as damp, insulation, and flooring may be needed. in addition to completing the drying process. This also comprises the collection of data on a daily basis and the tracking of the drying. It is critical to ensure that every part of your house or company has been thoroughly dried before any repair work can begin. If the property is not thoroughly dried up what can happen is that water damage will inevitably come back and all the efforts will go to waste. A good plumbing team ensures that the hard-to-reach places are also dried by using sophisticated tools and equipment if needed.
Pack-out and inventory
Without pack-out services, water damage restoration will become very hard to do. During the restoration process, personal items should be transported to a dry location. This could be in a different room at times. Sometimes, if the damage is serious, it may be necessary to relocate your belongings to a safe storage facility while your house or company is restored. EZ Plumbing offers the customers a secure and climate-controlled storage facility that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to retain their possessions till the job is finished.
Mold growth removal and prevention
Mold growth must be removed to facilitate proper water damage restoration. Mold can grow in any environment where there is standing water. Mold not only has the potential to cause structural damage to your house or company, but it can also create major health problems.
Mold growth takes place in water damage scenarios that have been present for a long period of time. When this is discovered, precise actions are necessary to adequately mitigate and eliminate the contamination before the restoration process can begin.
Sanitization
Cleaning and sanitising your property is another important step in preventing the formation of mold on your property. If some mold has developed, it will be eradicated and thoroughly cleaned. This procedure also contributes to the restoration of a healthy environment in your house or workplace. However, the cleaning does not only apply to construction materials. Antimicrobial treatments are used to treat any contaminated clothing, carpeting, and drapes, among other things.
When water damage occurs by gray or black water, cleaning is very important since this type of water does contain very infectious contaminants. Having said that, if your property isn’t properly cleaned, hazardous microorganisms can accumulate. Use a company that provides non-toxic environment-friendly chemicals for sanitising.
AC Units
Flooding can occur as a result of the HVAC systems in your home. Make a point routine of having the HVAC inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. It is important to turn off your AC if you are aware of an upcoming storm to avoid damage and the risk of electrocution.
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