Common Sources of Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties team if you are dealing with any water damage.

Nobody wakes up and says, “Gee, I sure hope I get to panic over some water damage this morning.” Unfortunately, water damage doesn’t really give us advanced notice before it happens. Water is always looking new places to travel, and any fissure or gap will do.

It’s important to know the ways you might encounter water damage, so let’s examine a few of the usual suspects.

Toilets. Toilets get used a lot, and wear and tear on flappers and wax seals can give way to leak issues.

Appliances. Water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers are all prone to developing leaks. Hoses and connections corrode or dry out over time, creating pathways for fissures, spills, and in the case of traditional water heaters, full-blown explosions.

Clogged gutters. Dirt, debris and leaves can gather in your gutters and cause water issues inside. Gutter backup can flood like the banks of a river and introduce streams of water into your attic and home interior, flaking your paint, ruining drywall and weakening wood beams.

Roof damage. Roof damage is the partner in crime for clogged gutters, and they pack a serious one-two punch. Hail, fallen limbs and old age can cause damage to shingles and roofing elements, allowing water to find its way inside.

Pipes. Old or damaged pipes are a frequent source of damage—this can be because of corrosion, winter freezes or even tree roots finding a crack in outdoor lines.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Excess food (or putting things like coffee grounds in the sink) can clog disposals, and hair and grease can clog sink drains and p-traps. Hard plunging and loose fittings can high-five each other and tag-team you into a floor full of water.

All pipes, appliances and roofs have normal life expectancies, and it’s important to keep up with the maintenance needs around your house. If you can catch a leak before it occurs, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.