Reasons for Water Damage in House
Water – such a simple chemical of life, yet how important and essential to life it is! In fact, without water, there would be no life at all. However, despite all the life-giving benefits it offers, water can also be very destructive. One of the significant damages that water causes are on houses and buildings in general.
Sometimes, water seeps through different areas of the house, causing significant water damages to your building. Water damage leads to discoloration of beautiful walls, warping of the floor, mold formation, and even vermin infestation. Even worse, without early water leak detection, advanced water damage could weaken the foundation of your house.
To avoid all these water damage risks, you should normalize using a water leak detector. This electronic device functions to detect any water presence and provide water damage alerts before any great harm is caused.
But what causes water damage in houses? And how can you tell that your home is at a higher risk of water damage? The following are seven most common reasons for water damage that you should always look out for:
1. Harsh weather
Harsh weather conditions are the most common causes of water damage in houses. Extreme weather includes hurricanes, thunderstorms, strong winds, and other natural disasters. When heavy downpours occur, especially when accompanied by strong winds, they send significant rainwater amounts down the house.
If you live in a flood-prone area, you need to carry out water leak detection regularly. In such places, flash flooding occurs regularly and usually leads to water damage.
2. Clogged Gutters
The primary purpose of gutters is to draw rainwater away from the house or building. When these channels become clogged or blocked by items, they do an insufficient job drawing water away from home. Some things that tend to clog gutters include branches, leaves, roof shingles, and other debris accumulated over time.
Blocked or clogged gutters cause rainwater to overflow the gutters and trickle down the sides of the house. In turn, this causes significant water damage, with the most affected parts being the walls, ceilings, and floors. A high-quality water leak detector can help you determine whether these parts of your house have been affected by water damage.
3. Burst pipe water damage
Even the most classic and well-designed houses can still be affected by water damage. All it takes is just one loose-fitting pipe or a burst pipe, say in the kitchen or bathroom sink.
Such burst pipes can cause much water to start leaking, damaging the cabinets and other associated accessories nearby. Leaking pipes that are located inside the walls are even more harmful; the leaking water from burst pipes doesn’t just damage the accessories but also leads to water damage to the entire wall and encourages mold formation.
More so, water damage can be caused by leaking drainage pipes or plumbing supply lines located underneath your house’s concrete slab. Such a complicated situation could cost you a lot of money to repair if not detected early. It is no wonder, then, that those living in areas with plenty of pipes are encouraged to have regular water leak detection activities.
4. Washing Machine Leaks
Each washing machine has its water supply line through which water is fed. Since these supply lines are usually under constant pressure, they may wear and tear over time, even start leaking water.
While the water supply lines constructed from braided stainless steel rarely wear out, those made from PVC or rubber are more prone to wearing out and leakages. When these supply lines rupture, they cause water to flood in the house. In turn, the water seeps through any cracks and crevices on the floor and walls, leading to eventual water damage in the home.
5. Bursting Water Pipes
During the cold weather season, water pipes tend to freeze over. The pressure of the freezing water can at times cause the pipes to burst and start leaking water. Types of pipes mostly affected by cold weather are pipes with less insulation, water sprinkler lines, and swimming pool water supply lines.
Therefore, if you live in a place that experiences cold seasons, ensure that you protect and insulate your pipes. You can insulate your water pipes using pipe sleeves or heat tapes. Also, regularly open your bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors to promote good circulation of warm air. While you can control the harsh cold weather, you can still do your best to save your pipes and even your home while at it.
6. Aging Water Heaters
Just like most products, each water heater has its specific shelf life. For instance, tank-less water heaters usually have a shelf life of up to 20 years, while the regular heaters can last up to 10 years.
When water heaters go beyond their shelf life, they may become worn out and start leaking. In turn, the leaking water leads to the build-up of moisture, the formation of mold, and even corrosion. When the leaking water seeps into the soil beneath the house, it can even weaken the foundation and stability of your home.
7. Condensation from AC
When the air conditioning (AC) unit is turned on, it produces condensation. The moisture drips into a drainpipe, from where it is directed outside the house through the condensate drain line.
When either the drain pipe or condensate drain line gets damaged, the moisture produced is not efficiently directed to the outside. Instead, it leaks from the AC unit and into the house. The leaking water not only damages the walls and floors but also makes the insulation system soggy.
Conclusion
Repairing water damage is very costly. And like they say, ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ Therefore, the best way to deal with water damage is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
You can quickly get alerts about any potential water damage with a water leak detector before they occur. Hence, you will be in a better position to prevent significant water damages, which will, in turn, save you a lot of costs and time. So, invest in one of the best water leak detectors today, and you will ensure the safety of your home.