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Find out what causes water damage at home and learn how to prevent it to avoid costly repairs or purchases?
Flooding, seepage, leaks, and water damage in some regions are frequent problems, and while some are inevitable due to tornados and heavy rains, others can be prevented. A small and moderate amount of leaked water is manageable with the proper tools, but substantial flooding should be left to the pros.
There are many reasons for water damage in your home - from leaky appliances and plumbing to basement flooding due to sump pump failure or sewer backflow.
Water damages can involve clean water from the broken pipes and these are not harmful. Damages that involve water from toilets and sewage are considered "dirty," and need to be removed, and items disinfected completely.
It is essential to find the cause of a problem, clean it up, and restore your property quickly.
Here, we are going to cover 7 common causes of water damages at home and learn how to protect a household from costly repairs and water losses.
In this article about water heater leaks, we have talked about causes, preventing tips and what you can do when the problem occurs, and how to avoid damages.
For example, leaks from the temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) happen when the temperature and buildup pressure of hot water inside the heater's tank are extremely high. This causes the valve to open so water can escape and therefore relieve the pressure. If the valve gets stuck or is not working correctly, hot water continues escaping and dripping on the floor.
Cold and hot water connections are also prone to leaks, so make sure to tighten the fittings and connections that are loose. Replace those that are bad.
Water also leaks when the drain valve is malfunctioning, is clogged, or broken. This would require the replacement of the faulty part.
One of the most dangerous and expensive situations is if there is a hole in the storage tank, which usually happens due to corrosion. In such a situation, there is nothing you can do about it because the tank is beyond repair, so you should get a new unit.
Water can also leak from appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, water softeners, and other devices that use water. Water can drip due to damaged gaskets and seals, loose fittings and connections, or pinched/punctured hoses. Different appliances can develop different problems and often require different maintenance. Also, regular and proper maintenance, so as following the manufacturer's instructions, is important for every device.
When you suspect that there is a leak, turn off the water supply immediately and remove the appliance from the power source.
Look for the wet spots on the floor around the appliance as the sign of a water leak. Dry off the area immediately.
Thankfully, sudden and accidental discharge or overflow from home appliances or the plumbing system is usually covered on standard home insurance policies.
Properly installed and functional gutters protect your home by directing rain and melting snow away from your home.
If the gutters are not working as they should, they will accumulate water which will eventually overspill. This will cause accumulation of water near the house, leaks into the basement, and through the cracks of the foundation. A large amount of cascading water can produce erosion to your home exterior, ruin landscaping, even deform and break gutters.
Clean the gutters and downspouts before and after the winter or twice a year (weather depending). The point is to prevent or remove any blockages which can prevent proper water flow and cause overflow. Be aware that siding cannot resist a continuous cascade of water from the gutters - resulting in seepage. Even if it can, an overflowing gutter will saturate the ground and find its way under the foundation and infiltrate into the basement.
Make sure to maintain trees and vegetation that can block the normal water flow or even break the pipes.
A recommendation is to install gutter guards that can help reduce the accumulation of the dirt, leaves, branches, and debris inside the gutters, and prevent blockage of the downspouts.
Also, make sure the gutter downspouts discharge water 5-10 feet away from your house.
Check the incoming water pressure, and if it is too high, check with your utility company. The gauge, where you can measure your home's water pressure, is where the main shut-off valve is. The typical reading in your home should be between 40 and 70 psi. If you find that the water pressure is often high (usually above 100 psi), install a pressure regulator.
If you have to leave your home for an extended amount of time, shut the water off.
Your sump pump can break anytime. As mine failed a few years ago and caused basement flooding with two three inches of water. The sump pumps will take the greatest hit during the snowmelt and heavy rain and when the groundwater level is high. The sump pump activates automatically when the water level is high, and that triggers the switch. If you pick the right size, the sump pump will quickly remove the water beneath the foundation and reduce or eliminate the risk of water intrusion. A pump with 1/3 horsepower is sufficient for an average home size, but it depends on the water bed level, climate, and exposure to surrounding water.
And if you don't have insurance, you might end up with tens of thousands worth of damage. So make sure to check the device often and replace it after 5-10 years (depends on its condition).
A recommendation from the experts is not to rely on the electric pump alone. Install water or battery-powered sump pump as a backup, or buy a generator that can easily run your electric one during the power outage.
Test the system often by activating the pump, checking the discharge pipe, check valve, float switch, and removing debris from the sump pit.
Consider installing a backflow valve to protect your basement from the sewage flowing backward through the sewer line and toward your house. There are many reasons for this problem, such as the overloaded sewer system due to heavy rain, blockage, overflow of your home's drainage system, and others.
There are many reasons why there is a leak in your home's plumbing. Some include loose joints, pipe ruptures, defective faucets, tub and toilet leaks, and others.
If the water is dripping from the faucet most of the time, the problem can be solved by replacing the defective or worn washer or O-ring.
While some can flood your home, others are not as damaging.
Depending on the leak type, the approach to stop the leak can also be different. But what is common is to take care of an issue on time and correctly.
Punctures in plumbing pipes and fittings can be easily fixed by replacing the damaged section/connection. If you cannot find the leak, look for the sagging spots near the tubs and sinks, wet spots on the ceiling, or floors, as those might indicate the presence of water. So start from there.
You can apply an epoxy putty, use repair clamps, waterproof tape, or any other pipe repair kit as the temporary solution for pipe leaks. Either way, you go, your home water supply must be turned off.
Some leaks are easy to identify and fix, while others are hidden and take time to be discovered. Here, you will find some common signs of the water leak, which can further help you prevent much greater damages.
Water damages are not only expensive but can cause structural problems and develop mold and mildew, which presents a health risk. To keep your home's air clean and healthy, make sure to prevent mold growth by removing all the water and drying out affected areas.
It is important to know the signs of water leaks and how to fix them fast to avoid future problems. Make sure to monitor your water bill often. If you see significant differences from month to month, and didn't fill up your pool, look for leaks.