The Slippery Slope of Home Water Damage
When most people think of water damage, they think of acts of nature like storms and flooding, but there are many more sources that can cause problems in your home. Water damage to your home can cause many serious issues if not properly taken care of including structural damage, mold, and electrical damage. Not only that, but water damage can have an effect on your health. Breathing in things like mold is bad for your lungs and should be taken care of immediately. Water damage can also attract bugs into your home. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, spiders, and more.
Everyday Appliances Can Cause Home Water Damage
There are many appliances that you use in your home every day that can cause water damage and possibly even serious flooding. It is helpful to know what appliances have a risk of causing this damage and how it can be prevented.
Here are some appliances that you should be keep a close eye on for possible water damage:
Water Heaters
The first main appliance that can cause water damage in your home is your water heater. If there are leaks or flooding that take place then you can see significant damage to your floors, walls, and foundation. Spending a little extra money each year to have your water heater inspected will help uncover any leaks and mold growth, and prevent costly repairs that will need to be made if a leak does occur and isn’t caught early on. You should also keep an eye out for corrosion and make sure you replace your water heater every 8-10 years.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners are another common cause of home water damage or flooding. A leaky AC unit or condensation in your duct work can cause damage to your foundation, walls, flooring, and possibly more. You should have your air conditioner inspected annually to keep your unit running well and prevent water damage from happening. An inspection should include checking the main drain and emergency drain lines for clogging, inspecting dirty coils and burned connections, and monitoring the refrigerant pressure. If you have a window unit type of air conditioner, you should also inspect the area around the unit to ensure environmental water isn’t causing damage to your window, walls, or flooring. Always keep your air conditioner clean, and change your air filter once a month.
Washing Machines
A leaky washing machine can be another source of flooding or home water damage and can harm your flooring and walls if not treated early on. You should inspect your washing machine about every month yourself to make sure there aren’t any leaks, cracking, rust, or dryness in the water hose. It’s best to replace the water hose every 5 years, even if they appear to be in good condition. Also, if you will be away from your home for an extended period of time you should shut off the water supply to your washing machine while you are away to prevent anything serious from happening.
Refrigerators
A refrigerator leak can cause home water damage and/or flooding in your home and ultimately damage your cabinets, flooring, and walls. There are many reasons that your fridge might leak, but there are ways to prevent this. The first reason could be that your drain is blocked. If your refrigerator defrosting drain is blocked by a buildup of ice or debris, you can unclog it by flushing the drain with warm water. Another cause is the seal around the door being dry and cracked. If the doors cannot properly seal this can lead to leaking. In this case, you should have all of the seals around the doors replaced. If they don’t get replaced it will allow warm air to get inside the fridge and cause things to thaw, which (you guessed it) leads to more leaking. Finally, it’s important to inspect the water line in your fridge. They are made from plastic tubing and are very easily damaged. If you suspect damage, you should replace the line as soon as possible. The same goes for your standalone freezer, mini-fridge, or beverage cooler as well.
Dishwashers
Another common cause of home and business water damage is the humble dishwasher. There are a wide range of issues that can cause a dishwasher to leak, including a clogged drain, an improper door seal, a defective pump, or even an unlevel installation. Your water valve or any of the hoses that connect to your dishwasher could also become damaged which can lead to leaks and possible flooding. It’s important to keep an eye on those things to avoid a serious dishwasher leak that could potentially ruin your cabinets, walls, flooring, and other areas of your kitchen if not taken care of.
Pipes and Plumbing
It may be obvious, but any kind of plumbing such as leaky pipes, dripping faucets, outdoor hose hookups, and so on can be a major cause of flooding and water damage. If you don’t take care of things like leaks, drips, cracks, and bad fittings, they can lead to many problems in your home or business that can cost thousands of dollars to be fixed depending on how severe the damage is. So, it’s best practice to check in on any piping throughout your house to catch any issues before they cause major damages to your home. Don’t wait – call a professional to have the problem fixed right away, and then clean up the damage thoroughly afterward.
What to do if you have water damage in your home or business?
Now that you know how to prevent water damage from happening with your appliances, let’s discuss what to do if water damage does occur in your home or business. If you are unlucky enough to be faced with water damage, you first need to have the source of the problem fixed, and then you need to have a professional thoroughly dry the area, remove damaged materials, and prevent mold from growing. Moisture hides deep and can be hard to detect without professional equipment and can lead to mold growth and further deterioration if not properly and thoroughly removed. You need to call the Flood Team for assistance!
Why Choose The Flood Team?
The Flood Team’s IICRC certified water damage experts will ensure your property is fully dry and safe from mold in as little time as possible. We can also connect you with any additional services that may be required to further remediate the damage, such as plumbers, contractors, and more.
We are here 24/7 every day of the year to solve any of your water damage, restoration, and cleanup needs. If you are experiencing any water damage in your home or business contact us at (833)-424-0044 for a free, immediate repair quote!
