While water is an essential component of daily living, it can also be destructive. Each day, around 14,000 people in the United States experience water damage at their homes or places of business. Water damage results in structural deterioration, costly repairs, anxiety, and stress. Learn more from the experts of ServiceMaster by Reed.
Common Causes of Water Damage
Natural Disasters
- Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean can bring extreme weather events that can cause significant property damage.
- Hurricanes and storms produce torrential rainfall and flooding, which deform floors, damage personal possessions, and jeopardize the structural integrity of buildings.
Appliance Failure
- Water supply lines to washing machines can burst in a matter of minutes, unleashing torrents of water.
- Not only can faulty sprinkler systems flood your property, but they will also cause significant damage to electrical systems, electronic devices, and appliances.
- Excessive tank pressure in a water heater might result in its failure and floods.
Clogged Gutters and Drains
- Gutters and drains are water management systems that are used to divert water away from a property.
- Clogged gutters and drains allow water to gather and infiltrate into a building's foundation or interior.
Pipe Leaks
- Over time, leaking pipes can cause severe harm to the region beneath them.
- If untreated, leaking pipes will result in the growth of mold.
- While visible leaks are easy to see, leaks in plumbing concealed within walls can be difficult to detect. It is preferable to invest in a water leak detector to keep an eye out for future leaks.
Sewer Backups
- Sewer backups occur when there is an obstacle in the line or when there is a significant amount of rainfall.
- Sewer backups contain germs, pathogens, and other toxins that pose a risk to human health. They should be treated by a water damage restoration professional.
Other Causes of Water Damage
- Appliances – faulty or corroded
- Badly fitted bathroom tiles
- Baths – poorly plumbed in or unattended
- Blocked guttering
- Blocked sewers and sewage backflow
- Broken aquariums
- Broken or poor-fitting shower screens and curtains
- Corroded ball valves in toilet cisterns
- Drainage – poor or insufficient (around foundations)
- DIY, i.e. nailing into pipes
- External flooding
- Flashing around chimney – damaged or poorly installed
- Hot water cylinders – poorly maintained
- Insufficient threshold on external doors
- Leaking radiators
- Old corroded pipework
- Pipes in the loft – broken or frozen
- Poorly installed or broken windows
- Poorly maintained boilers
- Poorly maintained or open chimneys
- Roof tiles – missing or broken
- Shower trays – broken or badly fitted
- Storm drain overflow
- Unattended or blocked sinks
Water Damage Prevention Tips
The best way to avoid costly repairs is still prevention. Here’s how to avoid water damage in your home.
Check Plumbing for Leaks
- Leaks on visible pipes can easily be detected, but to monitor breaks down the pipeline, a homeowner can invest on a good water leak detector to locate a hidden leak as soon as possible.
- As soon as you notice a leak, call a licensed plumber to have it repaired.
Clean Blocked Gutters and Drains
- Gutters and drains are designed to allow water to flow away from your home.
- If gutters or drains are blocked with leaves, branches and other foreign materials, water could pool and seep into the attic, ceiling or foundation, creating a leak or flood.
- Regularly remove obstructions from your gutters and drains to allow water to move freely.
Repair or Replace Malfunctioning Appliances
- Have your defective washing machine or dishwasher repaired immediately before it breaks down and causes severe water loss.
Check Your Basement and Sump Pump
- Basement water damage manifests in the form of leaks, peeling paint and musty odors, to name a few. Inspect your basement regularly and watch out for these signs.
- A sump pump is a piece of equipment that is used to divert water away from your basement, particularly floodwaters. If you live in a flood-prone location, such as along the shore, get your sump pump tested and fixed as needed to prepare for potential storms or flooding.
Inspect Your Roof
- Over time, natural wear and tear from the environment can cause damage to the shingles, flashing, and roof structure. These could let huge amounts of water to enter, particularly during periods of severe weather, such as hurricanes or torrential rain.
- If a hurricane is expected to strike, it’s high time to call a professional roofer to inspect your roof and repair the damages to prevent more problems
Schedule a Water Damage Restoration Appointment in Miami, Florida
ServiceMaster by Reed is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (954) 922-2020 to provide residential and commercial reconstruction services after water damage in Miami, Florida and the surrounding areas.
- We offer FREE estimates for all insurance claims
- We bill insurance directly, so you don't have to
- 100% guaranteed work with years of industry experience
You may also connect with us online to schedule an appointment, or email us at smreedoffice1@aol.com. Our office is located in 1210 Stirling Rd. Unit # 8A Dania Beach, FL 33004.
An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore®.