Every year, millions of households grapple with water damage that typically results in expensive repairs and possible health risks. Homeowners can save a lot of time, money, and anguish if they are aware of the usual causes of water damage and preventive measures that can be taken.
Water damage is one of the main reasons property value gets significantly depreciated. More than 30% of all homeowner insurance claims are attributed to water damage and freezing. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average amount paid for each claim is almost $11,000. This goes to show the high cost of water damage to homes.
Another financial burden water damage can bring about is the failure of the integrity of your house. Poor indoor air quality, mold growth, and an unsafe living environment can take a toll on the mental and physical health of your family. Protecting your home and peace of mind requires knowing the risk factors for water damage and how to avoid them. Choosing professional water damage restoration in Baltimore will ensure that your home is devoid of water complications.
Important Factors That Cause Unwanted Water Damage
- Leaky Pipes & Faucets
Commonly, water damage is the result of leaking or faulty pipes and faucets. These problems may be attributed largely to old age, corrosion, or the ill effects of harsh weather. If not repaired, even a very minor leak could gain excessive importance over the period, leading to a very costly repair job.
Advice:
- Inspect exposed pipes often for corrosion or leakage.
- Insulate the pipes in the cooler areas of your house to prevent freezing.
- Water pressure should be maintained at a safe level to avoid undue stress on the pipes.
- Concerns with the roof and gutters
Clogged gutters or compromised roofs are potential routes for water to enter your home. Many times, flashing that is installed incorrectly or is worn, broken shingles, or an insufficient roof installation lead to roof leaks. Another possibility is that water overflowing from clogged gutters might also sit on the edge or harm the basement or foundation.
Advice:
- Make sure to inspect the roof after every major storm and at least once a year.
- Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent blockages.
- Install gutter guards to reduce the accumulation of debris.
- Broken Appliances
Water-related appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters may leak if the hoses, seals, or connections get damaged. These leaks are often undetected until substantial harm has been done.
Advice:
- Do not allow hoses to age; replace them every three to five years to prevent ruptures.
- Set water leak detectors near all major appliances.
- Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for each device.
- HVAC System Failures
Water damage can result from an errant HVAC system that may leak due to blocked condensate lines or failure of equipment to perform to specification. The water thus leaks through the ceilings and walls, creating structural problems.
Advice:
- Arrange for periodic maintenance of the HVAC system to keep it in good working condition.
- Ensure that condensate lines remain clear and unclogged.
- Monitor indoor humidity levels to avert condensation-related water issues.
- Poor Drainage and Foundation Cracks
Poor drainage around your house may allow standing water to collect near the foundation, eventually causing basement flooding. Cracks in the foundation may also allow water to seep into the house, causing more serious damage.
Advice:
- Make sure the ground around your house slopes away from the foundation
- If any cracks are noticeable in your foundation, seal them with waterproof sealants.
- Consider installing a sump pump to help mitigate groundwater.
- Backflowing Sewer
Whenever the main sewer line becomes overloaded or clogged, the wastewater may begin to flow back into the house, causing a sewer backup. This type of damage is unpleasant and potentially harmful to your health. It is better to seek sewer backup cleaning to prevent any standing water on your property.
Advice:
- Do not flush paper towels and wipes that can clog the pipes.
- Have your sewer pipes examined and maintained regularly.
- Install a backwater valve to reduce the risk of sewer backups.
Advanced Techniques to Prevent Water Damage
Though these elementary precautionary measures are equally important, you may want commercial water damage restoration in Baltimore for your property through these extra avenues:
- Inspection of Plumbing Systems
In many homes, particularly older homes, leaky or broken plumbing is a major cause of water damage.
What You Can Do:
- Conduct frequent inspections of exposed pipes for any corrosion or leaking in attics, basements, and under sinks.
- To catch problems early, schedule an annual inspection with a qualified plumber.
- Insulate Pipes in the Winters
Pipes can freeze and burst in extremely low temperatures, especially in those areas of the house that are not heated.
What Can You Do:
- Keep the water flowing by allowing a little faucet to drip during the chill of the night.
- Insulate all the vulnerable pipes found in garages, attics, and basements.
- In this winter season, try not to heat your home while you are away.
- Inspect the Roofing System
The roof is one important aspect of a property that needs inspection for any water leakages.
What You Can Do:
- Schedule a semi-annual inspection of the roof and an inspection soon after an intense storm to ensure it hasn’t sustained any damage.
- Look at dropping spots or broken flashing or perhaps missing shingles that give way for water seepage through the covering.
- Clean and often repair the flashing near vents or chimneys.
- Clean Downspouts & Gutters
Clogged gutters could lead to water overflow and, hence, damage the foundation of your home.
What You Can Do:
- Clean your downspouts and gutters twice per year, once in spring and once in fall.
- Downspouts should extend at least 3-5 feet away from your foundation to avoid driving the rainwater towards your foundation.
- To reduce the amount of debris that collects in gutters, you may want to install gutter guards.
- Grading and Landscaping
Landscaping and grading are critical to directing runoff water away from your foundation.
What You Can Do:
- The ground around your home should slope away from the foundation to prevent pooling.
- Install French drains in those areas where water usually accumulates.
- Do not plant heavy trees or shrubs too close to the foundation.
- Monitoring the Humidity Levels
An enormous amount of moisture in the air causes condensation and propels the growth of microbes in the home.
What You Can Do:
- Use a hygrometer for measuring and keeping the humidity indoors at levels of 30-50%.
- To ensure good air circulation in humid areas, such as basements and bathrooms, switch on fans and dehumidifiers.
- For added safety, consider installing a dehumidifier throughout the whole house.
Conclusion- Keep Water Damage Out Of Your Baltimore Homes
A busted pipe in the cold of winter, a clogged gutter overflowing during a storm, or gradually seeping behind your walls can cause serious damage and need repairs that may result in a financial burden. It undermines your foundation, damages priceless belongings, and robs you of peace of mind.
Regular maintenance of the house, use of intelligent leak detection systems, and knowledge of those areas with great danger can significantly reduce the chances of making that costly water-damage claim. We all need repair partners to really act fast, do comprehensive work, and handle with sincerity.
Paul Davis Restoration of Baltimore is the premier water damage restoration company in Baltimore. We are neighbors, of course, but we also serve as your emergency support network as well as your restoration experts. Our highly skilled personnel evaluate, mitigate, and restore homes using the latest and most proven tools available.
Get the right crew to pump any water out and bring them back into order. Anytime of the day or night, Paul David has a solution for you in times of need. Contact us today for an on-site inspection and free estimate.
