No home is habitable without a source of water. Water has numerous uses in a home, including consumption, cleaning, cooking, recreation, and many more. 

However, despite its importance, water can easily cause damage to your home. For example, water from a leaking pipe can make walls dumpy, damaging paint and promoting mold growth. If you don’t solve such water issues early, the damage can worsen over time, leading to expensive repairs.

Below are some common causes of water damage.

1. Leaking Pipes

Pipes sometimes leak due to poor installation or old age. The water from these pipes will run down your walls, causing bulges, stains, and cracks. Pipes can also burst during winter, flooding your house within hours. If the bursts happen outdoors, the flowing water can damage your landscaping or cause erosion around your home.

2. Severe Weather 

Natural disasters, like hurricanes, snowstorms, and thunderstorms, bring excess water to your property. If floodwater settles in your home for long, your foundation starts to crack, and floors may become loose. Also, if electrical outlets are not high enough, the exposure to water and moisture causes short outs and corrosion, degrading your electrical system’s integrity.

Therefore, if you live in a flood-prone area, employ flood control interventions like raising your home with stilts, applying sealants to your walls and foundation, and installing foundation vents. Also, place your electrical outlets and cables higher from the ground.

3. Blocked Drains

The drains in your kitchen and bathroom help dispose wastewater into the main sewer or your septic system. If these drains clog due to solids flushed down or accumulation of dirt and debris, water won’t flow as efficiently as it should.

If you don’t unclog the drains, wastewater may back up, causing flooding in your house. Moreover, sewage water contains disease-causing bacteria like salmonella and E. coli.

4. Clogged or Damaged Gutters

The dirt and debris that collects in your gutters can accumulate and cause clogging if you don’t clean the gutters regularly. Since clogged gutters won’t effectively channel rainwater away, the water may spill over the side during a heavy downpour, damaging paint on exterior walls.

The water will also pool around your foundation, causing serious damages like settling and cracking.

5. Faulty Appliances 

Home appliances with water supply lines, like dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines, leak when their pipes and hoses weaken due to old age. A refrigerator can also leave pools of water in your kitchen if it has worn gaskets.

If water pools beneath the appliance, the moisture will promote mold and mildew growth on the adjacent walls or the appliances’ exterior. To avoid this issue, frequently check your devices for signs of leaks and repair them accordingly.

6. Water Overflows 

If you forget to turn off faucets in your bathroom or kitchen, water will overflow, causing flooding in your house. Such water can damage your floor, furniture, carpets, and furniture. While you can turn off the faucets as soon as you notice water pools, the situation is worse if you are not at home, like when on vacation. 

Never leave your faucets on, and always turn off your main supply line when leaving the house.

7. Leaking Roof

Poor roof installation or roof damage can lead to leaks whenever it rains. If not addressed, the leaking water can damage your home’s interiors, especially the attic and ceiling.

Though some causes of water damage are beyond your control, most are preventable if you take a proactive approach. Therefore, hire a damage contractor as soon as you notice signs of water damage.

At Disaster Masters, we have the skills and experience required to rebuild your home after a disaster. Contact us today for fast responses!