The Most Common Causes For Water Damage In The Home

As a homeowner, things are already stressful enough in the day to day between paying the mortgage, keeping up with repairs, and making sure the house stays clean and cared for. That’s why for so many homeowners, the mere idea of water damage is terrifying enough without even having to face the aftermath. When your home springs a leak, it can lead to serious internal issues and create a hazardous environment for you and your family if left untended to. Because of this, it’s always best to know exactly where your home’s weak spots are so you can do the best possible job of preventing water damage during the rainy season. If you’re dealing with water damage to your home or you’re trying to shore up your residence against a coming storm, it helps to know exactly what you’re dealing with. Before you call your restoration contractors to help with the damage, here are a few problem areas to be aware of for when you’re protecting your home from water damage.

Flat Roofs

While any roof type can become vulnerable to leaks during bad weather, flat roofs are notorious for inviting moisture damage and clogged gutters during serious storms. Because flat roofs are built with a less prominent slope, there’s more of a possibility of water retention during heavy snowfall or storms. Many newer flat roofs are built out of strong, flexible material like rubber that will help stop any moisture from leaking through. However, many older roofs are built from many layers of heavy, dense material. If there’s too much snowfall or ice buildup, the pressure and weight of the material can end up soaking through and causing tremendous damage to a home’s interior. Flat roofs are only built to last about 25 years or so, so if you’re living in a home with a flat roof you know is older than that, it might be time to reinforce or even install a brand new roof. Most flat roofs were built for homes located in more temperate climates, so it’s possible that they can last a bit longer in a drier more arid location. However, for homes that experience a lot of moisture and rougher winters, these roofs need a lot of maintenance in order to keep dry and strong.

Gutters

Gutters have one job to do: Allow your roof to drain water easily so that you don’t have ice dams or snow sitting around on your roof for long periods of time. However, more often than not, gutters can end up getting clogged, frozen over, or simply too dirty to function properly. If you don’t clean out your gutters regularly, it’s possible that they could end up being the cause of serious water damage to your home. The longer ice and snow stay on your roof, especially a roof that’s a bit older and has already seen some damage, the more likely you’ll be to experience drips, leaks, and long-term, unpleasant consequences. Luckily, there are several ways to make the job of gutter and drain maintenance easier. First, make sure you always take the time to clean out your gutters regularly, even if the weather is fine. If your home is located under a tree, falling leaves, branches, or even small pieces of dirt and debris can end up causing a giant, unpleasant backup in your gutter. Another way to make sure everything stays clear is to install gutter drains, which work to filter out any fallen matter before it hits your drains, and gutter heaters, which help to melt ice dams and allow water to quickly drain off of your roof.

Pipes

Most of us have experienced leaky pipes in our lifetime. While they might seem simple enough to fix with a tightening of a bolt or a call to the plumber, household leaks can be the source of nasty water damage if they prove persistent. During periods of temperature fluctuation, such as the spring thaw or the first winter freeze, your pipes can end up freezing or rusting, causing issues with water flow and causing your pipes to back up. This can cause leaks which can end up coming out in your sink, your bathtub faucet, or along joints in your piping either in the walls or the ceiling. If you can’t see a leak, you’ll know something’s off if your water is discolored or you’re experiencing lower pressure than usual. If you’re worried about a persistent leak or drip, call in a plumber to address the damage and make sure you’re not ignoring anything.