Water damage is not something anyone looks forward to

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

Obviously, we don’t get any notice that there is about to be a water disaster.

If the house is empty and a supply line breaks, the damage can be extensive. After all, water is looking for a place to go and it always chooses the path of least resistance.

It’s smart to educate yourself about the ways water may enter into your home. Here are a few of the most common sources of water damage:

Toilet seal. A sign of the wax ring failing is the presence of water around the base of the toilet or an unpleasant odor from the toilet.

Damaged water inlet valve. All appliances that require water to do their job have a water inlet valve. This is a common location for leaks to occur.

Clogged gutters. Proper drainage and emptying of the gutters on your home is critical to keep water damage out of your home. Debris can accumulate in the gutters and clog downspouts, causing the water to back up into the fascia and work its way into the house.

Roof problems. The roof is a complex system that requires everything to be working properly to keep the water out of your house. Shingles must be free from damage and installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Flashing must be properly installed and stepped so water cannot seep behind and damage the roof structure. As we mentioned above, gutters need to flow freely and be clean of debris.

Sewer lines. Sewer lines flow outside of your home to either a septic tank or municipal sewer system. A septic tank holds the waste in a large tank and it breaks down and drains into field lines. A municipal sewer system has a series of pipes underground that carries the waste away from your home and to the water plant for processing. Once you have identified the problem, the solution is easy to figure out but much more challenging to implement.

Clogged toilet. Toilets drain into the sewer line, as does all drain water from the house. If a toilet won’t drain, the usual cause is a blockage. A blockage can be tackled in any number of ways, but one of the most common is a plunger or a snake. A plunger uses force to move the blockage, and a snake usually breaks up the clog.

With proper home maintenance, you can stay on top of the pipes, appliances and roof systems, as they all having moving parts that occasionally can fail. A little preventive maintenance can save you time and money.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.