Few scenarios are worse than discovering water damage when you are a homeowner. While water may seem relatively harmless on its own, its ability to be absorbed by various materials and cause deterioration makes it one of the most irritating problems to face on your property. Ignoring water damage could result in structural issues or even mold development that causes respiratory issues for anyone living in the home.
Knowing how to handle water damage should be a process that every homeowner understands once they move into their property. Even if the problem itself is too big for you to handle without professional assistance, just knowing how to respond can be enough to save your property and prevent massive expenditures on repairs.
Let’s talk through some of the main components of water damage and how you can deal with this issue.
Table of Contents
Causes of Water Damage
Reading through this list may cause you to re-think owning a home simply because there are so many problems that can happen, but taking care of your home can mitigate most of these issues.
Burst Pipes
The plumbing system in your home controls all the water flow, and aging pipes are often a culprit of water damage. Most older homes contain copper piping, which is vulnerable to corrosion and freezing that results in a leak.
Roof Leaks
A roof is meant to protect the interior from the elements, but an aging or compromised roof cannot do its job effectively. If your roof needs an upgrade to keep the rain out, roofing companies can help.
Broken Appliances
Most homes contain appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and even refrigerators, all of which use water to operate. Faulty appliances can cause leaks in your kitchen or laundry room that results in significant water damage.
Clogged Drains
Your home has many drainage systems that can become blocked by debris. When this happens, the water stays in the home longer than it should and could overflow into spaces where it does not belong.
Signs of Water Damage
Now that you know some of the main causes, it should be easy to spot water damage in your home, right? Not necessarily. Not all water damage is giant puddles forming or water shooting out of a broken pipe. It is often much more subtle. The following indicators could be signs that water damage is present in your home:
- Discolorations/water stains on surfaces
- Peeling, flaking, or bubbling paint
- Sagging walls/ceilings
- Musty smells
- Visible mold infestations
- Health issues like itchy eyes/throat, allergic reactions, respiratory problems
- A sudden spike in the water bill
If you notice any of these signs, there is a good chance that water is going where it should not somewhere in your home.
Fixing Water Damage
The steps involved in restoring your home or possessions after water damage will vary depending on the level of the damage and where it is located. These general steps should help you mitigate the cause and start returning your home to its pre-loss condition.
Safety First
Keeping yourself and everyone else in the house safe is your top priority. It may be necessary to evacuate the area where water damage has occurred. Electrical safety in the home becomes especially important for water damage since these two ingredients can create a dangerous situation. If possible, shut off electricity to the affected area and wear protective gear when cleaning.
Stop the Source
The flow of water needs to be stopped quickly to make a restoration plan. If you know where the leak is coming from, you could find the appropriate shutoff valve to turn off this source, whether that is the main water supply valve or a secondary valve. If you cannot stop the course yourself, contact a restoration company immediately.
Extract the Water
Standing water is the first problem to deal with. You can use a sump pump, buckets, wet vacuums, towels, and whatever else is necessary to rid the area of standing water.
Wash/Sanitize
Any surfaces that can be salvaged should be washed with warm, soapy water and a bleach solution, especially if the water that was in contact contained harmful contaminants. Anything that cannot be saved should be disposed of.
Dry the Area
The remaining moisture will have to be evaporated or air-dried out of the materials in your home. Open up windows and doors for air circulation, plug in some fans/air movers, and turn on dehumidifiers for the remaining moisture.
Monitor for Mold or Further Water Damage Signs
If you conduct the cleanup yourself, monitoring the nearby areas of the home for other signs of water damage will be crucial. It is possible you missed the source or did not remove all water, and forgetting about the issue completely could result in long-term issues.
When in Doubt, Contact Professionals
Most homeowners in Lansdale, PA, do not have the equipment or expertise to handle a major water damage issue. If the steps listed above seem overwhelming or inadequate to get the job done, you should consider hiring a contractor that specializes in water damage restoration services.
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