Water damage is one of the most common issues homeowners face in the US. The unfortunate thing about water damage is that it is not a seasonal problem. It can happen any time of the year, whether it’s summer or winter.

This mindset is why most people get affected by water damage; they only take precautions regarding plumbing issues in winter. However, watching for water leakages and other plumbing issues during summer is also essential.

Not only is water damage a dangerous problem, but it can also be costly to fix. Water leakage from pipes isn’t the only cause, as a broken water heater, a clogged toilet, pipe bursts, and broken water lines are also significant reasons for water damage. Natural disasters such as flash floods, hurricanes, and heavy thunderstorms can also cause it.

This post will discuss the potential problems caused by water damage and ways to prevent them. Read on!

Problems Caused By Water Damage

Water damage is a problem, but it can also be the root of several other problems. Here are some of the significant issues caused by water damage:

Property Damage

The water can seep into the walls and ceilings of your house, leading to severe property damage. Your basement, kitchen, attic, bathrooms, and every area of your home where the water runs through can become victims. It can also ruin any furniture or decoration in that area, which can be even more expensive to fix. In addition, this weakens the building structure and may collapse certain parts of your house.

Damage to Electrical Outlets and Appliances

We all know how dangerous water and electricity can be together. As the water flows through, it can get into electrical outlets or the main electricity supply and cause short circuits. Water in electric outlets is highly hazardous as it can result in a fire hazard. Besides the outlets, it can also reach your electrical appliances and completely break them, further increasing the costly damages.

Health Issues

Your health is way more important than any appliance or property, so you should be aware of the health issues due to house water damage. The saturated walls and ceilings are vulnerable to a rapid spread of dangerous bacteria at any moment. They will take no time to spread around your house and cause respiratory problems, skin irritations, and many other health problems. The dripping water can also cause mold build-up, which can also spread over time.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage

You can take several measures to avoid water damage from occurring in your house and destroying your precious property.

Here’s a list of different ways and tips to prevent water damage and its issues:

Check for Leaks Regularly

Minor leaks are prevalent in every house, and most people don’t notice them. Even if they see a leak, they ignore it if it’s minor. But even the smallest holes in a pipe can drip up to 57 gallons or 216 liters of water per week!

Always check for leaks around your house or call a plumber for an inspection. If you find a leak, don’t ignore it and get it fixed immediately to provide any damage in the future.

Inspection of Sinks and Drains

Your sinks deserve to be regularly cleaned and remain in excellent condition to avoid problems. Never pour oil or grease down the sink; it can clog your pipes and block the water flow. Even if you wash it off with water, the grease will have the same effect on your pipes.

Please don’t use chemical-based sink or drain cleaners, as they are known to eat pipes or cause wear and tear on their inner surface. Instead, you can use a drain snake or call a plumber to clean your drains.

Turn Off the Main Water Valve Before Going Away

Some consider this step useless or ineffective, but it must be corrected. Turning off the main water supply is always essential before leaving your house for some days. Turning it off is vital because there might be an undetected leak in your home when you go, and it can cause much damage by the time you return, as there was no one else in the house to notice or stop it. Turning off the water valve before leaving will ensure the leaks won’t do any damage, as there will be no water flowing through it.

Clear Debris From Gutters

Gutters are left uncleaned for a long time and can easily get blocked, causing an overflow of water in houses. Mainly people consider the fall of leaves the leading cause of blocked gutters, which is true, but other objects can also fall into gutters and stop them. Things like moss, weed, and stones can clog up the gutters. Cleaning your gutters regularly is an excellent prevention to prevent water damage.

Installing Water Leak Detectors

Water leak detection devices are inexpensive and very useful. These devices can detect any water leak easily and instantly shut off your water supply. This stops the water from leaking any further and causing damage. This device can be a lifesaver. You can install it in your basement, attic, washrooms, laundry rooms, kitchen sinks, water pipes, and other areas where water leakage might occur.

Water damage can be hazardous as it can destroy your property and appliances. But if you follow all the prevention steps, you don’t have to worry. You can always contact our team if you suspect water damage. Our team will rescue you with our 24/7 emergency water damage restoration and repair services. Everything will be convenient and swift for our customers, from inspection to restoration.