Water damage can occur from various sources, both inside and outside your home. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Outside:
Roof leaks are a major source of water damage, especially after heavy rain, snowmelt, or storms. Clogged gutters, damaged shingles, and faulty flashing can all contribute to leaks. Protect your home by scheduling inspections every 1 – 2 years by a qualified roofer. You can do your own visual inspection after heavy storms and every few months. Look for missing or damaged shingles, loose flashing or debris accumulation outside and water stains on ceilings or walls inside. If you find shingle damage or water staining, get them repaired immediately to avoid further damage. Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris or blockages. Trim trees so they are at least 4 feet from your roofline.
Heavy rain, overflowing rivers, or storm surge can cause flooding, infiltrating basements and causing widespread damage. This protection is lower down than your roofline. Inspect your foundation, ground level walls, windows and doors. Seal any gaps or cracks with the appropriate sealant for that type of building material. Divert water away from your home by sloping the soil down at least 2% to encourage water to move away from your home. If the land slopes toward your home and cannot be graded enough to slope away, consider using ditches or French drains to redirect water away from your home. If you have a basement that is below the surface of your yard, install a sump pump with a battery backup to help remove excess water during heavy rain. Check your insurance policy so you know what is or is not covered due to flooding.
Cracks in your foundation can allow water to seep into your home, leading to structural damage and mold growth. Improper grading around your house can also contribute to this issue. Inspect your foundation regularly. Look for cracks both inside and outside your home including foundation walls, basement floor, crawl space and around windows and doors. If you find a foundation crack, consult a foundation repair specialist to help find and repair the cause of the crack. Do not ignore foundation cracks, because they will get worse over time if not addressed. If your foundation floods regularly consider waterproofing measures to protect it and invest in a sump pump to help remove excess water from areas most prone to flooding. Again, check your insurance policy so you know what is covered in the event there is a foundation issue leading to water damage.
Inside:
Leaky pipes, hoses, faucets, and valves are common culprits, especially under sinks, behind appliances, and in hidden areas. Frozen and burst pipes during cold weather can also cause significant damage. Regularly inspect your pipes and hoses for signs of visible moisture, corrosion or bulging in the pipes. It is recommended that you install a regulator if your water pressure is more than 80 psi because high pressure can cause stress to pipes, increasing the risk of leaks or pipe bursts. Replace outdated galvanized steel or lead pipes with copper or PEX lines. Regularly inspect and tighten fittings around faucets, valves and under sink drains. Consider, during installation or repairs, using compression fittings or soldering instead of threaded connections.
Washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, and even refrigerators can develop leaks or overflows, leading to water damage in surrounding areas. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining appliances to prevent risk of leaks or malfunctions. If you do have a malfunction, it is not enough to simply turn the unit off. You need to drain any water still in the appliance then make sure the water line connected to it is disconnected or cutoff so water cannot continue to flow to it. Repair or replace the appliance before water is reconnected or turned back on to avoid re-affecting the water damaged area.
Blocked drains in sinks, showers, and tubs can cause backups and overflows, damaging floors and cabinets. Ways to help avoid these blockages include minimizing what goes down the drain. In the kitchen, do not pour grease, oil, coffee grounds, eggshells or fibrous materials (fruit peels and bones) down the drain. They tend to collect in the trap instead of flowing out of the home as expected. Place strainers over the drains to catch food scraps in the kitchen and hair in the bathrooms. In the bathroom, do not flush anything except toilet paper and human waste. Hygiene products, wipes, swabs, floss, or any other general debris should be thrown away in the garbage--not flushed down the toilet. Consider using enzymatic drain cleaners as directed to help break down organic matter that can clog drains. Once a clog does occur address it immediately and do not flush anything else down any drains until it is cleared. Flushing when there is a clog can make the clog harder to clear or even cause a sewage backflow into your home.
Condensation from air conditioners or faulty drain lines can lead to water leaks and damaged ceilings and walls. Possible sources include condensation drain lines, air handler drain pans and refrigerant leaks. Preventative measures include annual inspection and service by a qualified technician, regular cleaning of drain lines, insulating drain lines, and monitoring drain pans to ensure they are not overflowing. Address any leaks promptly so they do not continue to damage the home.
Blockages or problems with your sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home, creating a hazardous and unsanitary situation. This is different from a blocked drain inside your home. If you have trees close to your foundation, consider having them inspected for root intrusion into sewer lines, which can cause clogs. Consider installing backflow prevention valves in sewer lines to prevent sewage backup into your home.
While extinguishing a fire, water damage can occur as a secondary consequence. There is not much you can do to prevent this except to try to avoid having a fire in your home. See our September 2023 blog article “Protect Your House and Yourself from Most Common Sources of Fire” for more information on this topic.
It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other less common sources like broken windows or sprinkler system malfunctions can also cause water damage.
Be sure you know where your main shut-off valve is located and how to use it. It is crucial that you know this BEFORE water damage occurs. Have a plan for what to do in case of a water emergency including who to contact (plumber, insurance company, ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points) and how to minimize the spread of water until help arrives. Be aware of weather conditions that may cause damage, such as heavy rain and freezes. Placing smart water detectors in vulnerable areas such as laundry rooms and basements can help alert you quickly to leaks in less visible areas.
Remember, the key to protecting yourself is being proactive. Implementing the preventative measures mentioned previously, like regular inspections, maintenance, and proper drainage, can significantly reduce the risk of water damage to your home.
If you do have a water loss in your home, call ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points, located in Athens, quickly to help you with your water damage mitigation. We work with most insurance companies directly and provide you with all the documentation you need if you are not filing a claim at that time. We understand that time is of the essence, so we have technicians available for emergency calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
