Common Causes of Water Damage and How to Avoid Them

Water damage is one of the most common types of property damage that almost every home or business owner in every neighborhood has to deal with. Even if you don’t live in a rainy area, water damage can occur from other sources such as natural disasters, plumbing problems, broken pipes, and clogged sewers.

Water damage, if left untreated, can lead to mold growth, structural issues, and a variety of other negative effects on your home or business. Fortunately, most water damage does not occur overnight. Before things get out of hand, you can identify and avoid several common causes of water damage.

The information provided below will assist you in identifying the most common causes of water damage and how to avoid them in order to protect your residential or commercial property from water-related destruction.

The Top Common Causes of Water Damage

Leaks in the Roof or Windows

Leaks in the roof or windows, the most common cause of water damage, are usually avoidable. Regular inspections are an excellent way to detect these issues before they become leaks. Leaks, on the other hand, are unlikely if your roof or windows have recently been replaced. The issue could be caused by seal cracks or other wear and tear.

If you have an older roof, you should think about replacing it. The same is true for windows. While newer windows are more energy efficient, older ones are more prone to water damage. Caulking can also be used to seal windows and roofs, but use caution to avoid future problems.

Outdated Plumbing and Drainage Systems

If you live in an older home, your plumbing and drainage system are most likely outdated. These systems tend to fail over time, resulting in a variety of issues, including water damage. Water leaks, clogs, and other issues that cause water to back up into your home can occur if your plumbing or drainage system is out of date.

To avoid this, you should hire a plumber at least every five years to inspect these systems before they become major issues.

Improperly Installed or Defective Fixtures

Another common source of water damage is outdated fixtures. If your fixtures are old, they may break or leak, causing water damage. If you have an older toilet, for example, the drain may be faulty or clogged. This can cause the toilet to overflow and flood your home.

To avoid water damage, if your fixtures are old, you should replace them with new, high-quality fixtures.

Hire a licensed plumber to install your fixtures to help avoid this problem. This will help ensure that the work is completed correctly.

If you’re in the market for new fixtures, make sure they’re high-quality and unlikely to break. If possible, look online to see if there are any issues with a specific brand of fixtures.

Clogged Sink Drains

Another common source of water damage is clogged sinks. To avoid clogs and blockages, dispose of items such as food scraps and clean and unclog your sink drain on a regular basis. When cleaning, try to avoid using harsh chemicals.

Obstructions in Your Drainage System

The majority of homes have a drainage system that leads to a sump or sewer system. These systems are intended to collect and transport water from the home and away from the property. Leaves, debris, and other objects can accumulate in the system over time, clogging it. This can result in water backing up into your home, causing significant water damage.

You can help prevent this by cleaning out the drainage system on a regular basis. Planting trees and shrubs near the house that can grow large enough to clog the drainage system should also be avoided.

But suppose you’re constantly having problems with your drainage system. In that case, hiring a professional to clean out your pipes and install a maintenance system, such as a sump pump, is a good idea to help prevent future problems.

Prolonged Exposure to Humidity

In humid climates, humidity is prevalent and can make your home feel much more uncomfortable than it would otherwise. It can cause serious damage to the house structure and even cause mold growth when it remains at high levels for an extended period of time.

Installing an air conditioning system to circulate air and properly sealing your roof and windows can help protect your home from humidity damage.

A damp, musty odor is almost always a sign of mold damage, so if you detect it, contact a water damage restoration company for mold removal.

Bad Construction

Water damage can also occur in new homes if they are poorly designed and built with inferior materials.

To protect yourself from water damage caused by poor construction, hire a professional building inspector to inspect a house before you buy it.

Contact PuroClean for Your Restoration Needs in Bluffdale, UT

The best way for residents of Bluffdale, UT, and Salt Lake City to avoid water-related damage is to contact Puroclean.

Our restoration process entails containing the water damage and cleaning up the affected areas, as well as removing debris, repairing damage, and sanitizing the affected areas. We can also assist you in timely reporting to your insurance company if you need to involve them.

Delaying cleanup can lead to extensive water damage, extensive mold growth, and other negative consequences. So, call Puroclean today at (801) 254-6204 for a rapid emergency response from our team.