'
Follow Us :

Causes of Water Damage

man repairing sink water damage

There can be many causes of water damage in modern homes. With many potential sources of a leak, it is not surprising just how often water cleanup services are needed across the country each day.

Left untreated, water damage can cause a plethora of problems. Mold may begin growing on the walls, the plaster of the ceiling may start to form bubbles, the upholstery could get damaged, and the floor could start warping.

The longer the excess water stands on the property, the more these problems multiply. In extreme cases, water damage can weaken the structure of your property.

Your safest bet is to hire a professional cleanup and restoration service provider who can clean up all the mess and restore the property. You should look for organizations that are responsive and responsible at the same time.

TN Flood Kings is a professional water damage restoration company that provides quick and effective services. Our professionals have got the experience to find the source. After that, they will remove the cause, begin the water damage restoration process, and educate you on preventing water damage in the future.

8 Common Causes of Water Damage

Leaky roofs or sewage backup from adverse weather conditions, burst pipes, clogged gutters, or a broken water heater are some of the most common causes of water damage.

Leaky Roof

A leaky roof is a major cause of water damage. For instance, if it is raining heavily and there is a hole in the roof, it can cause a great deal of damage to your property.

Most roofs aren’t flat, so detecting a leak can be very challenging. An attic’s cramped, dark conditions can also pose risks and difficulties in spotting the issue.

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes are a common cause of residential water damage. With constant pressure on water pipes, temperature changes, and corrosion can easily result in leaking pipes; in more drastic cases, the pipes burst, and you have huge water pools in the walls that impact your home’s structural integrity.

Clogged gutters

When gutters clog, they can allow unwelcome water into your home’s interior, leading to water damage issues in the wall. Keeping your gutters clean is an underappreciated way to prevent water damage.

Broken Sump Pump

Also, if a sump pump stops working, that too can result in major issues. Sump pumps are meant to avoid water damage to your home from flooding, especially if you live in a flood zone. When they fail, you could be dealing with serious structural damage to your basement and foundation.

Faulty Appliances

Aging water heaters, clogged drain lines in washing machines, and refrigerators can result in broken water connectors, raising your water bill and the risk of excessive moisture. Leaking hose connections from the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator can drip water for weeks until it is repaired, while clogged drains from a refrigerator may allow moisture to creep into the floor unnoticed.

For instance, if the washing machine has rubber or PVC water supply lines, the high water pressure may wear out the drain lines over time. If you don’t shut off the water valve in time, the entire laundry room will be flooded in seconds. Braided stainless steel connectors are less likely to be affected, but they may still suffer damage.

Malfunctioning Air Conditioner

Tennessee can deal with extreme temperatures, which is why HVAC units running on overdrive can cause excess water around the base and walls of your home. If the evaporator coil isn’t cleaned regularly, then a thick layer of dirt can deposit on the coil, which affects the heat exchange between your indoor air and the refrigerant.

This can freeze the coil, and the water will drip for long periods. A clogged drain line and a leak in the condensation pan can also cause water damage.

Blocked Toilets

Clogged pipes, vent blockage, clogged drains, and toilet blocks can cause septic tank overflow and sewer backup. When your septic tank backs up, it can cause devastating damage to your house, and the contaminants in black or grey water can pose serious health risks. If there is standing water on the bathroom floor, this area is extremely polluted, and you’ll need help from experts like TN Flood Kings.

Natural Disasters

Adverse weather conditions like extreme snow, storms, tornadoes, snowfall, heavy rain, earthquakes, fires, floods, or hurricanes can lead to water damage and structural damage to the property.

water damage in a house

Common Water Damage Risks

There are a lot of risks associated with water damage, which we’ll discuss now.

Electrical and Fire Hazard

Water and electricity don’t mix well. So, unsurprisingly, water damage is not only a risk to your property but to your safety as well. Faulty appliances, especially a leaky water heater, are a reason to call a qualified electrician immediately. Also, moisture can cause damage to your electrical systems, which is one of the most common causes of fires. This is why you need a certified professional to handle water damage.

Property Damage

Water damage can cause immense property damage. Chairs, tables, wardrobes, flooring, ceiling fans, HVAC systems, etc., all get damaged due to water damage. Water-damaged property can also decrease in value.

Health Risks

  • Campylobacteriosis: A bacteria that causes diarrhea-like symptoms.
  • Cryptosporidiosis: Parasites that cause bloody stools and vomiting.
  • Dysentery and E. coli: Ingesting contaminated fecal water leads to stomach pains and infections.
  • Gastroenteritis or stomach flu: Causes high fever, severe headaches, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
  • Giardiasis: Caused by the parasite Giardia, which is found in contaminated water (feces and urine) and soil.
  • Hepatitis A: Liver disease that spreads from contaminated food and water.
  • Salmonellosis: Caused by the salmonella bacteria, Salmonellosis leads to high fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
  • Typhoid fever: A bacterial disease that causes fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Mold Growth

Floodwater is known for causing mold proliferation, which can spread quickly on ceiling tiles, wood, paint and wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpets, upholstery, and even dust.

You may also have to deal with black mold, which can lead to chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes of the nose and throat, and rashes on the skin. For this reason, contacting a mold remediation specialist is recommended.

Pest Infestation

When water damage occurs, pests and bugs will walk into your property. Sewage backup can bring some new uninvited guests, bringing new diseases.

Worsening Air Quality

Many people don’t even know how water damage affects indoor air quality. When black or gray water saturates walls and ceilings, mold grows, eventually compromising air quality. During and after the flooding or plumbing system failure, bacteria and other harmful pollutants grow inside the house, endangering your family.

Financial Risks

Even the best homes or offices are susceptible to plumbing problems. A small leak in the roof and a small hole in the sewer lines can cause systemic damage to your property’s structure, which leads to the most obvious concern: the cost of professional water damage repair.

Broken pipes clogged gutters or drains in the crawl spaces, a malfunctioning plumbing system, or poor drainage must be repaired immediately. For instance, if the kitchen sink leaks, you need to fix your plumbing systems, and if sewer lines get rusted, they have to be replaced. Unfortunately, you may not be able to secure insurance coverage for everything, which means you’ll have to pay for some items out of pocket.

Related Articles