Many homeowners experience water damage at some point in their life. Without being treated, it can lead to mold and eventually, ruin your wall paint and floors. In most cases, water damage can be prevented. You just need to know where to look and what to do if you spot a problem.
Our restoration company in Oakland Park has seen a lot of damage over the years and we know how bad it can get. You can protect your home before it gets to the point where you need to contact Tri-County All Restorations for emergency restoration services.
Here is our list of the most common causes of water damage in a residential property, and how to avoid them.
Plumbing Damage
Water damage is most often caused by leaks in the plumbing system or other plumbing-related issues. This is more common if you live in an older home. To prevent water damage caused by your plumbing, you should have an inspection at least once a year. Otherwise, if there is a problem, you’ll be able to spot it through cracks, bulges, and water stains on your ceiling, walls, and even floors. If you see these signs, it may be time to call your local plumber.
Old Appliances
If you have old appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines, poor connections can cause water damage. If your washing machine breaks down and the supply hose gets damaged, that can result in hundreds of gallons of water spilling out in a matter of hours. It’s a good idea to have the supply hose checked every now and then to make sure you stay ahead of the issue.
Proper maintenance also makes a big difference. For example, don’t overload your washing machine, as this can loosen valves and gaskets.
Another appliance that is notorious for causing water damage is your old water heater!
Check the shelf life. If it’s older than 10 years, it’s time for a replacement. Once your new heater is installed, have it inspected regularly for moisture build-up, mold, and corrosion.
Upkeep for your appliances may seem tedious, but it can save you on potential expenses caused by water damage. Although our restoration company in Oakland Park is available 24/7 to perform water extractions, it’s better to prevent the problem before it gets out of control.
Bad Weather Conditions
Because of all the rain in South Florida, especially during hurricane season, water can get into your home and cause flooding. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, you may want to consider installing foundation vents or sump pumps. If you install a sump pump, make sure it’s always in an upright position for quality performance. If it stops working or if you see leaks, your sump pump solution will eventually turn into a problem and cause flooding.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot you can do to protect yourself against flooding caused by poor weather conditions. Because of this, you should always protect yourself with flood insurance. In the meantime, if you find yourself dealing with water damage the immediate thing to do is to try to stop the water from coming in if it is safe to do so. It’s also important to extract/remove the water as soon as possible to minimize damage. The longer the water stands, the greater the chances of it causing mold.
Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
Always remember to clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to water buildup, which can enter the walls of your home and destroy the foundation. In turn, that can lead to mold growth in places under the surface that will be harder to fix.
The good news is you can easily maintain your gutters and downspouts by cleaning your gutters twice a year. This type of maintenance routine along with conducting routine checkups will make sure your gutter stays within working conditions.
Backups
We’ve all experienced backups caused by clogged toilets, bathtubs and sink drains. It’s easy for drains to get clogged with dirt, grease, and hair over time so this is somewhat normal. But if left unchecked, your pipes break down and as a result, this can cause serious water damage to your walls and floorboards. There are many ways to keep your drains from getting clogged. A cheap solution is to buy a drain screen to prevent large substances like food and hair from getting into the pipes. Using liquid drain cleaners can also help keep your drains clean.
Contact Tri-County All Restorations
If you experience water damage in South Florida, contact our restoration company in Oakland Park. We’ll perform an initial assessment and apply techniques to the affected areas accordingly. Remember water damage isn’t something you want to let go unchecked if you don’t have to! If you see any signs of leaks or other indicators of water where it shouldn’t be, give us a call at 954-280-7868.