The Common Causes of Water Damage: Cleanup and Restoration

The Common Causes of Water Damage: Cleanup and Restoration

Water damage can be a huge headache. Not only is it difficult and expensive to repair, but it can also cause serious health problems if not cleaned up properly. This blog post will discuss the common causes of water damage, cleanup, and restoration to help you avoid disaster. We’ll discuss how to identify potential causes before they occur, the cleanup and restoration techniques that work best for most situations, especially, if there’s an incident after you already have water damage.

1. Accidental Flooding

Accidents happen, sometimes in your home. If it happens during non-peak hours or when nobody else is at home, your chances are good that everything should be fine. However, it could mean big trouble if it occurs during peak hours. When someone trips on something — a child playing with toys, a pet falling into a puddle, or a piece of furniture being knocked over — water may get inside the house. It could come from rain runoff outside the walls, a burst pipe, dishwasher leaks, or toilet overflow. If you suspect flooding is coming soon, call in professionals immediately.

2. Fire/Fires

Fire and floods aren’t exactly similar. While fire and flood damage can require cleanup, the types of damage they leave behind are different. While both create smoke residue, which requires cleaning along with other debris, fires generally leave melted and charred material, while floods leave watermarks and soap scum. Also, fire can destroy furniture, clothing, or valuables, whereas floods don’t usually affect items like these. On top of all that, firefighters might need access to your property to extinguish the flames, while floodwaters make entry difficult or impossible. Make sure any insurance policy covers the damage caused by fire. Clean up and restoration involves taking care of smoke residue, making repairs, and restoring belongings damaged by fire.

3. HVAC Failure

Like fire, another type of flood damage is water damage due to failed HVAC systems. The biggest problem with these failures is that the damage isn’t always apparent right away because water doesn’t leak out from the pipes until there’s enough pressure built up. This pressure buildup leads to mold growth and more significant structural damage to the building, so it’s important to act fast. Contact the professional services team or an HVAC Marketing agency online at the first sign of leaks or malfunction They can inspect the system and perform necessary repairs to keep water damage away.

4. Broken Pipes

Pipes are one of those things we take for granted. Unfortunately, some people ignore them completely, exposing them to harsh weather conditions. Whether high winds, extreme cold or hot temperatures, broken pipes can lead to widespread damage. You’re going to want to contact a plumbing service provider as soon as you notice water running through your walls. They can locate the break in the lines and fix it quickly before causing more damage. Once it’s fixed and water has stopped flowing, begin the process of cleaning and disinfection.

5. Appliances & Equipment Breakdown

This is a preventable situation, but appliances and equipment breakdowns still happen occasionally. For example, electrical outlets are designed to accept bare wires safely without getting shocked. But, if those wires become wet and corroded, the current will flow and start heating them. Eventually, this heat will cause the metal part of the outlet to melt and crack, leading to an electric shock hazard. Even if no appliances have been turned on lately, check everything carefully, including lights, switches, and outlets. Start replacing components that look old or worn out.

6. Faulty Home Wiring

Another common reason our homes get flooded is that something happened to our home wiring. If lightning strikes near power lines during storms, it causes sparks and overheats nearby wires. These heated wires can lead to small fires inside walls or even a whole house explosion. To minimize this risk, ensure your home is safe by performing regular inspections and maintenance. Look closely at anything that seems suspicious. Replace damaged wires immediately and hire a licensed contractor to complete the job.

7. Shoddy Construction

Water damage due to shoddy construction happens when builders fail to properly waterproof new buildings. When moisture gets into the newly installed drywall, it begins to decompose. Over time, the dampness can develop mold or mildew that spreads throughout the structure and makes other areas susceptible. If you see any signs of mold growing inside your home, report it to a plumber immediately because they can remove the stains safely. Additionally, don’t touch anything that looks suspicious; call a professional instead.

8. Electrical Malfunctions

A faulty circuit breaker could also be responsible for the flooding. If you experience strange noises like popping sounds, humming noises, flickering lights, and buzzing, you should contact a plumber immediately. Those noises could signal a serious problem like a short circuit. Keep your hands off everything around you while they work; all power tools must be left alone.

In conclusion, if you want to protect your property against water damage, make sure you have a professional team of experts who can fix the problem before it’s too late.