The Truth about Water Damage

Water damage is something that can happen in any home. It can come from a broken pipe, a serious storm or even a fire. There is more to water damage than what you see on the surface, though. Consider some facts about water damage that you might not know.  

What is Water Damage?

The name seems pretty self-explanatory but it can be more extensive than you imagine. Water damage can be sudden like a burst water pipe or it can be slow like one that just leaks a little bit at a time. Fast or slow it causes significant damage to your property by soaking construction material, rotting wood and warping floors. Water damage is different than other kinds of property damage, too, because it can be lasting and hard to spot. Something like a fire in the kitchen creates charred areas that you can see. Water is much sneakier. Even if you replace the obvious damage like a floor, moisture may seep deeper creating the perfect environment for mold. The cause can be a mystery, too. For example, maybe you have a broken seal on a dishwasher hose. That probably isn’t the first thing you think about when looking for the cause of pooling water. You could tear apart the wall to check the pipes, go to the roof to look for leaks and still have the problem even when you think you’ve fixed it. Some common causes of water damage include:

• Poorly designed roofs
• Clogged gutters
• Leaking pipes
• Overflowing toilets
• Sewer problems
• Storm damage

It important to pinpoint the exact cause to prevent further damage.  

How Do You Know You Have Water Damage?

Water damage isn’t always obvious either. There are signs to watch for such as:

• Floor and walls that change in shape
• Visible water stains or mold growth
• Odors that smell like rotting wood or wet cardboard
• Higher than expected utility bills
• The sound of running water

Any of these flags will mean you probably have water damage somewhere in the house.  

What are the Biggest Concerns with Water Damage?

There are some obvious safety issues with water damage like weakened floors and walls. The other main concern is mold growth. Mold exposes you and your family to some serious health risks including:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Allergies
• Developmental problems in children
• Neurological damage

It is important to remove water-soaked drywall, insulation, flooring, and carpeting to prevent mold growth.  

What Can You Do About Water Damage?

For serious damage, you will need to bring in a professional. There are a few DIY things you can do for smaller leaks, though, such as:

• Remove any loose items that are wet such as furniture or boxes. If you let them sit, they just continue to wet the floor under them.
• Shut off the water main if you see a leak. A broken pipe not only causes water damage, it will drive up your water costs, too. The sooner you turn off the main, the better.
• Put a fan and dehumidifier in the area of the water damage. Fans increase airflow to dry things up and a dehumidifier pulls water out of the air. The combination can prevent further damage.

  If you’ve recently experienced a storm that caused water damage to your home, let the professionals at Zona Restoration help.