What Causes Water Damage in Homes?
A home is a place of refuge for the family. A home can be a comfortable place to live in as long as it is warm and dry. However, when the home is wet, the comfort level diminishes as mold growth spreads to the different areas of the house. A damp home will also have a lot of furniture being ruined due to water leaks from damaged pipes.
A warning from Water Damage Restoration Chesterfield MO, busted or leaking pipes will increase your utility bills, but they can also create water damage to your home. If you suspect water damage in your home, you should immediately hire plumbing Sutherland shire services to prevent the damage from getting worse.
Several reasons can cause water damage in the home. Pipes or water supply lines may burst due to water expanding at temperatures below zero. Tubs and kitchen sinks may overflow, causing the excess water to seep through shelves, cabinets, and floors. Washing machines and other appliances that use water may malfunction and produce leaks. The swimming pool might overflow, and excess moisture may seep through the cracks in the basement walls. The roof might have a hole that causes rainwater to leak through and cause water damage to the items stored in the attic. Rivers or nearby streams may overflow, which will cause floodwaters to enter the home. If you experience any of these problems that lead to water damage to your home, then it is best to hire a general contractor and plumbing services to address the problems.
Why Prevent Water Damage
Whatever the reason, water damage should be prevented since it can cause a lot of minor to significant structural damage to the home and health problems to the inhabitants. Structural damages may result from water damage since water can be responsible for wood rotting, metal rusting, and the deformation of different wooden elements of the home. Water can also loosen the glue that binds floor tiles, carpets, or wallpapers. Also, if left unattended, water-soaked or damp items can be a medium for molds to grow. Molds produce irritants that can cause discomfort and sickness to the family living in any wet home with water damage.
How to Prevent Water Damage
Aside from holes in the roof or natural disasters, water damage in the home can be prevented by hiring professional plumbing services to check your existing water lines. Plumbers inspect if there is a water leak hidden in the house by turning all faucets off for an hour and checking to see if the water meter reading will change. If the meter reading changes even with all faucets off, there is a possible water leak. If this is the case, trace the path of the water supply lines, carefully inspecting the surrounding areas with evidence of water damage.
Plumbers will also check for discoloration of wallpapers, softening of the wall panels, or puddles of water on floors to know where the leak is located. Another way of finding the hidden leak is to smell the presence of mold growth. Molds give off an odor that is characterized as musky or earthy. If that odor is detected, then there is an area with a high moisture content coming from the leak. Professional plumbers will also be able to repair any leaking or busted pipes that they encounter.
Conclusion
Preventing water damage should be a priority for every homeowner to maintain the comfort and safety of their family. Water damage can cause several health problems and structural damage that will affect the beauty, comfort, and value of any home. To prevent all these from happening, it is best to hire professional plumbing services to regularly check your water lines for any leaks or damage. These plumbers will be able to fix any problem they encounter and prevent any further water damage to your home.