Water damage is a major problem that can cause extensive damage to your home and belongings. It is important to understand the causes of water damage, how to prevent it, and what to do if you experience it.

Here are some of the most common questions people have about water damage:

What are the causes of water damage?

Water damage can be caused by a variety of things, including:

·         Leaking pipes. Pipe leaks can be underneath sinks, inside walls, on the exterior of the home (spigots) or even under the slab. Slow leaks are hard to find so they can exist for years sometimes causing a LOT of damage inside wall and ceiling cavities before being found.

·         As many people who experienced the deep freeze of December 2022 know, pipes can also burst causing a sudden water loss. While this is found much more quickly, it also can cause a lot of damage suddenly and require the homeowner to cut the water off at the street to protect the home until the pipe can be repaired.

·         Flooding is also common in Georgia during the rainy seasons. If water becomes trapped against your foundation, it can get into the ground level of your home. This is something that cannot be ignored because it has nowhere to go so it will stay in your crawlspace, basement or main level until someone extracts the water.

·         Roof leaks like leaking pipes can be a way for water to get into the home slowly in an area that is not looked at daily. Since water takes the easiest path, it usually will drain down through wall and ceiling cavities or become trapped in the insulation under the roof which can lead to microbial growth such as mold.

·         Appliance leaks can be slow leaks such as breaks in the water line to the refrigerator, washing machine or dishwasher or A/C leaks. There are also sudden water losses such as washing machine overflows and burst hot water heaters.

·         Sewer backups can come from sewer lines or septic fields. Septic fields for commercial properties or community living like apartment complexes and sewer lines have contaminants from other people in addition to the residents of your own home. Any sewage or septic losses are affected by contaminated water that should be treated carefully by trained professionals instead of simply mopping it up with household cleaners.

·         Storm damage like flooding is usually seen during severe weather. Storm damage most commonly seen in Georgia is from trees falling on homes or businesses causing roof or siding damage that allows rainwater to get into the home.

How can I prevent water damage?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent water damage, including:

·         Inspect your home regularly for leaks. You should be looking for water stains on drywall or flooring. Look under sinks and appliances for soft or sagging material. Look inside sink cabinets and underneath larger appliances. Check your water heater and HVAC units for signs of rust and again for signs of damage to the flooring underneath it. To check for roof leaks, inspect from the outside to see if any shingles are damaged or missing. On the inside, check the insulation and framing under the roof in your attic for staining or mold growth. The best way to check is to trust your nose. If something smells musty, you need to take a closer look at what might be causing that smell.

·         Some home security systems include a water alarm. While this is not ideal for everyone, you may want to investigate whether it is worth getting one for you.

·         Keep your home or business plumbing in good repair. This means regular inspections and fix anything needing repair right away instead of waiting to do it later. Small repairs now can lead to big repairs later if not addressed promptly.

·         If your basement or crawlspace is prone to flooding, install a sump pump to help you keep water from accumulating there.

·         Keep your gutters and downspouts clean. Also check regularly that your downspouts are either extended away from the home or pointed where water coming out of them will drain away from the foundation instead of pooling there causing foundation damage and potential flooding of the ground level of the building.

·         Store any valuables in water-resistant containers ideally at least 3 feet above ground level. While basements and crawlspaces are ideal storage areas because they are out of the main traffic areas, they are the areas that also flood the most so anything stored there needs to be protected.

What should I do if I experience water damage?

If you experience water damage, it is important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Here are some tips:

·         First and foremost, turn off the water flowing to the affected area. This can be cutting off the water using the devices shutoff valve, cutting off the water as it comes into the home or business or cutting water off at the main by the street, but stopping more water from entering the affected area is critical.

·         Remove any personal belongings that are wet as well as anything that is not currently wet but cannot get wet such as electronics and irreplaceable personal possessions.

·         If you have any way to suck up as much water as you can, it will help slow down the spread of water to areas not yet affected. People commonly use shop vacs, towels, and mops. Newspaper is surprising absorbent and very disposable if you have it on hand.

·         Use any fans or dehumidifiers to start the drying process. If the loss is big enough or old enough, you will need more help with drying areas you can’t reach, but any air movement, unless you can see visible mold, helps get the moisture into the air where the dehumidifier can remove it.

·         As stated in the last point, water gets into hidden spaces that you can’t easily see or reach so once you have stabilized the affected areas, you need to contact a professional water damage restoration company such as ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens. They can find where the water traveled to and be sure all affected areas can be dried out safely and completely as well as sanitizing areas affected by contaminated water.

How much does water damage repair cost?

The cost of water damage repair will vary depending on the extent of the damage. However, it is not something that can be done reliably over the phone because an inspection is needed to evaluate the extent of the damage. It is important to have a professional assess the damage and provide you with an estimate.

Is my insurance going to cover water damage?

Most homeowner insurance policies will cover water damage, but it is important to check your policy to be sure. If you have a flood insurance policy, it will only cover water damage that is caused by flooding. Each insurance company has unique policy riders and requirements regarding coverage so ServiceMaster will not be able to help you understand what is covered and what is not. Be sure to contact your agent for help with policy questions and your adjuster with coverage questions or concerns.

What are the long-term effects of water damage?

If water damage is not properly repaired, it can lead to a number of long-term problems, including:

·         Mold growth – This can occur in a relatively short time (as little as 24 hours) if you are not working to mitigate water damage as soon as possible. This does not mean you will have a home full of mold within a single day, but it does mean that you need to act quickly because waiting to start a water mitigation allows more mold growth to occur.

·         Structural damage – Trapped moisture can cause damage to the foundation and framing of your home or business if ignored which is why a professional water mitigation is needed to be sure you did not miss any areas that need to be dried out after a water loss.

·         Water travels to the most easily accessible areas first, which can be inside light fixtures and electrical outlets. Since water and electricity do not mix safely, do not touch anything electrical that may have gotten wet!

·         Health problems – microbial growth that occurs when water is trapped will eventually get out of the areas that promoted this growth. Once you are exposed to that growth, it can cause health problems through exposure to the mycotoxins it can produce. Most commonly it can cause respiratory issues if the spores become airborne.

It is important to have water damage repaired as soon as possible to prevent these long-term problems.

Call ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens if you need a water damage mitigation.