Top Causes of Water Damage

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

And What to do About Them

Water damage is the second-most often filed claim among home and business owners in America — and it can also be one of the most damaging incidents. That's largely because water damage itself doesn't just have the potential to ruin building materials and personal goods, thereby requiring extensive rebuilding to affected areas, but if impacted areas aren't restored correctly and to industry standards, subsequent mold growth can wreak further havoc on a property. 

The good news is that it's estimated that the majority of water damage incidents can be prevented, and at SERVPRO of San Mateo, in addition to being there to bring the damaged property back to preloss condition, we're all about empowering home and business owners with the information to prevent such disasters. On this note, we've broken down the top causes of water damage and what you can do to help prevent them.

Top Causes of Water Damage

• Plumbing issues: Plumbing issues are among the leading causes of water damage in homes and businesses. The bad news is that such issues are often difficult to detect, as much of a home or facility's plumbing is located inside of wall cavities and only noticeable when the issue has escalated to a point of seriousness. Other plumbing issues are easier to detect, like leaking faucets or leaks underneath a sink. What's more is that any type of plumbing leak doesn't just have the potential to lead to water damage, but also to increase your water bill. The best way to prevent water damage from plumbing issues is to take note of any common signs. Look for water stains on ceilings, sagging drywall or mold spots. Periodically check under sinks for any signs of water. If the signs are there, take the necessary measures to resolve them before the situation becomes too dire.

• Busted pipes: We tend not to experience too many freezing temperatures in California's Bay Area, but every now and then a cold spell can sneak upon us. When it does, the chances of freezing pipes becomes much greater. What's more is that if frozen pipes aren't resolved, they can expand and break, flooding home or business with water. Frozen pipes are fairly easy to prevent in cold temperatures. You can purchase insulating sleeves, drip water from faucets or move portable heaters into areas of concern to prevent freezing.

• Natural disasters: Water damage from natural disasters is much more difficult to prevent, as Mother Nature can't easily be predicted and flash flooding from heavy rainfall isn't easy to manage. There are a few things you can do to minimize the chances of water intrusion during heavy rainfall. One, make sure your home is graded away from the foundation. You can also make sure that your gutters are clean, so water can drain properly, and that doors and windows are properly sealed. Like we said, no matter how much you prepare for inclement weather, however, water may still find its way into your basement, crawl space or lower level of your home. If it does, SERVPRO of San Mateo is there to help. 

• Equipment failure: The final leading cause of water damage that we'll cover here is an equipment malfunction. Some of the leading malfunctions that lead to water damage include a faulty washing machine hose or a failing hot water tank. The best way to prevent these issues from happening is to make maintenance of such appliances as a part of your annual checklist. Washing machine hoses tend to loosen after about a decade of use, and hot water tanks tend to rust out at the bottom over time if sediment isn't routinely flushed. Just pay a bit more attention to these appliances to prevent issues with them.

No matter how much effort you put into preventing home water damage, know that it still may occur — from one source or the other. And when it does occur, SERVPRO of San Mateo is there ready to respond and take the necessary steps to restore your home to preloss condition. We follow all industry standards on water damage jobs, and we'll also take the necessary steps to resolve the underlying issue. Contact SERVPRO of San Mateo—trusted restorers in California's Bay Area—for more information today.