What Causes Water Damage?

When you hear the term water damage, what comes to mind? Do you immediately picture heavy flooding, or do you consider some of the other causes of these types of damages? The truth is that while flooding from Mother Nature can certainly be disastrous, the majority of home flooding issues actually come from different things. Burst pipes and ineffective gutters are likely some of the most common culprits. 

The many different scenarios that can lead to water damage all bring their own issues in terms of damage, but water wreaks havoc no matter where it comes from. Take a look at these common causes of water damage and tips to prevent them. 

Ineffective Gutters

Your gutters are likely one of the most common sources of water affecting your structure. This is true for both residential and commercial properties. If the gutters are not working properly, then you have water coming in where it shouldn’t. Gutters are designed to help channel water and guide it away from your structure. The water travels through the gutters and out to wherever the downspout leads it. When working properly, it is quite effective. And when not working properly, you reap the damages. 

So what do you do about it? This one is a rather simple fix. If your gutters haven’t been inspected or cleaned for a while, it’s time to take care of them. You should be cleaning and maintaining your gutters a couple of times a year. In addition, take a look at those downspouts. Are they effectively moving water away from your foundation? If not, add an extender or a longer downspout to make sure it does! 

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes are another leading cause of damage. Burst pipes have a tendency to happen at the most inconvenient times and will cause huge amounts of water to gush out very quickly. Get the water turned off immediately to help reduce the damage as much as possible. 

You won’t necessarily be able to prevent this every time, but there are some steps that you can take to help reduce the possibility. The first is to protect your pipes in the cold weather. If you’re facing freezing temperatures, take steps to protect pipes with insulation, heat tape, and dripping faucets. In addition, you should have routine inspections done on the pipes and make repairs when needed. 

Leaks

Leaks are annoying and sometimes really hard to find. We often ignore them until we can’t anymore. When you notice a leak, it’s best to take action right away. Those leaks can lead to much bigger issues and will wreak havoc in other ways, including the possibility of mold. 

The common source of leaks comes from the roof. If you notice a leak, get your roof inspected and figure out where it’s coming from so you can get repairs made. You can attempt this on your own, but you may need to call in a roofing company for the best results. 

Another source of leaks is seepage around windows and doors or even in the basement. If you notice moisture that comes from any of these, you need to seal the affected areas to prevent water from coming in. This may not seem like a big deal, but over time they will cause damages that will become costly. Go ahead and take measures to stop them. 

Mother Nature

Mother Nature is one of those water damage situations that you can’t stop from happening. We have no control over this scenario and simply have to take action when it does occur. With any luck, you won’t face this type of flooding ever, but it can happen. The US experiences 1-2 major flooding events every year. Those are most often associated with hurricanes or heavy rainfall situations. 

Be aware of safety and pay attention when flooding is a possibility in your area. Do what you can to protect your space, but keep your safety at the forefront of your mind. If flooding is imminent, move as many of your belongings as possible to higher ground or a higher space in your home. Use sandbags if you can. When flooding recedes, take measures to safely start cleaning up and drying out. 

Let ONEighty Solutions Help with Your Water Damage Needs

Whether you face something like a leak or you have a bigger issue like flooding, you are not alone. No matter where the water comes from, the damage and mess it leaves behind creates a major challenge in both residential and commercial spaces. ONEighty Solutions is here to help. Our teams have the proper equipment and skill set to come in and help you extract water, work through the drying process, and restore your damaged space. Contact us today for your water damage needs.