When most homeowners face any water damage issues, they seek a water damage restoration service. The main reason you should rely on a professional for this service is that some of the water in your house may be contaminated and can cause harm to you and your family. Always leave this type of job to professionals with the proper tools and equipment to carefully and safely clear the mess.
Causes of Water Damage
Before discussing water damage cleanup, here are a few essential things you ought to know about water damage causes. Below are the four most common causes of water damage.
Leaking Pipes
A kitchen sink with a loosely fitted pipe can leak enough water to destroy the kitchen cabinet underneath. Also, any broken pipes in the wall can make matters even worse. Broken pipes in the walls cause a lot of damage because they cause the entire wall to be water damaged. If ignored, it could nurture mold growth.
The worst-case scenario could be a leaking supply line in the sand below the concrete slab. If this is the case, be prepared to dig deeper into your pockets for water damage restoration.
Severe Weather
Natural disasters caused by hurricanes, floods, and thunderstorms are rare, but they pose a great danger of water damage to your property when they happen. Strong winds and heavy rains can damage your roof, allowing passage of rainwater to your property. Severe weather conditions could, in some cases, lead to flooding, especially if you live in a flood-prone area, causing water damage.
Leaking Water Heater
The chances of an old water heater starting a leak in your home are high. The case is the same for wrongly installed or poorly maintained water heaters. Most of the time, a leak is sparked by high tank pressure. In case of a leak, expect the basement and location of the water heater to flood soon.
Clogged Gutters
A gutter system's purpose is to draw rainwater away from the house. However, clogging by falling leaves and broken tree branches, gutters tend to block over time, obstructing water flow from the house. The water from the gutters then overflows and runs down the side of your home, causing water damage to your ceiling, floors and walls.
What to Expect From the Water Damage Restoration Process
When a water damage restoration expert comes to your home, you can expect the following to ensure proper and complete water damage cleanup.
1. Inspection
The first thing about water damage cleanup is performing an inspection to determine the likely contaminated areas and the extent of the damage. The professional may poke through the baseboards, ceiling and floor to assess the situation.
2. Removal of Stagnant Water
Removing stagnant water is the most vital step in water damage restoration. However, this isn't as complicated as most may think. Water damage cleanup professionals use advanced vacuums to get rid of all the water in your home. However, if the job is done by a non-professional, traces of water may go unnoticed that may later cause problems.
3. Drying
Once all the stagnant water has been removed, the next step is to dry the area. A professional will have multiple air movers that help circulate air throughout the entire house. Some furniture and big appliances may be lifted or moved to ensure the dry air reaches all the saturated parts.
4. Containment
The containment process occurs at the same time as the drying process. Containment is an essential process because it will help the professional control the house's environment and quickly dry it.
5. Monitoring
After the steps above, the cleanup expert will check the drying process by inspecting how the humidifiers function, measuring humidity levels and checking the temperature's intake and output.
How to Prevent Water Damage
Prevention is always the best way to avoid any inevitable causes of water damage like floods. Properly maintaining your plumbing systems is the best way of avoiding any water damage in your home. Below are six key tricks on how to prevent water damage.
Maintain Appliances
Poorly maintained appliances are a common cause of water damage in homes. To prevent water damage, regularly inspect and maintain your appliances for leaks. It's recommendable to pay special attention to your washing machine and refrigerator hose. They often become leaky once they're old and brittle. Hoses usually have a life span of around 5 years. Regularly inspecting the state of your hoses will help avoid any water damage.
Detect and Fix Leaks Promptly
Most standard home insurance covers don't cover damage that results from ignorance and lack of maintenance. Standard home insurances cover damages that occur accidentally or suddenly. Therefore, if you notice any signs of a leak, attend to it immediately to avoid colossal damages. Postponing to maintain and fix leaks promptly could lead to mold growth, dry rot, mildew and even structural damage to your home.
Install Water Detection Devices
A water detector is a small device that alarms the user when the sensor comes to contact with any moisture. The advantage of installing a moisture detector is that it can spot slow leaks and low moisture levels that you'll often not notice. Install it near areas like the toilets, dishwashers and washing machines to prevent water damage and mold formation.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
To avoid blockage, ensure you clean your gutters preferably twice a year. Unmanaged water overflow will create puddles that can destroy your home's foundation. Also, standing water causes damage to your roof and gutters because if not properly handled, it will soon begin to sip in your home through the roof. Always secure your downspouts in a position that directs water away from your home.
Get Free Project Consultation
If you're thinking of building, Solid Construction Design is more than willing to walk you through the key features in water damage prevention and cleanup processes. However, if you're facing any water damage issues, our team of fully licensed and trained professionals is fully equipped to handle any issues fast and right the first time.
