Water Damage 101
Water Damage 101
Water Damage 101
Water damage is best defined as any one of the numerous possible losses caused by the intrusion of water. Water can attack and destroy a material or system through the rotting of wood, rusting of steel or metal, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, as well as the destruction of heating and electrical systems. It can also provide the necessary platform for mold growth.
Water damage may occur quickly as the result of a flash flood, or slowly over time as the result of a leaky pipe or broken window seal. Either one can cause significant damage if not treated promptly.
Types Of Water Damage
Water damage can occur any number of ways. Heavy or torrential rains can place undue stress on roofs, causing leaking or in some cases even collapse. The same rains, if heavy enough over a given area during a given time, may result in flooding of the surrounding landscape. Floods may be small enough to affect only one home, or large enough to engulf entire regions.
Flash floods are more dangerous, forming in a matter of minutes and sweeping across the countryside, with little or no warning to those in its path. Flash floods are the #1 weather related killer in the United States, with over 200 deaths each year.
Levees and dams may also break and send water cascading into local communities, causing tremendous damage. This sort of disaster was graphically seen firsthand with Hurricane Katrina and the broken levees in New Orleans in 2005.
Construction and new development can drastically alter the landscape, resulting in insufficient drainage and runoff. In addition, more houses, parking lots, and roads mean less land to absorb excess water.
On a more local level, water damage may occur in your home as the result of leaky or burst pipes, overflowing sinks or bathtubs, as well as even less desirable situation such as sewage backflow or stopped up toilets.
Water is unique in its ability to cause damage both initially and over time. Unlike fire, which confines its damage to one area and can be fairly easily contained, water has the uncanny ability to get into places you might not think to look, and it continues to cause problems and generally wreak havoc for as long as it is allowed to stand.
There are numerous sources for water to leak from in your home, most of which can be prevented by regular inspection and maintenance (more on this in a later chapter). Even the smallest leaks can end up costing you hundreds of dollars per year in additional costs. The most common causes are the faucets in your kitchen and bathroom sinks, which are used frequently and may develop leaks simply due to "mileage" and a gradual loosening of surrounding joints.
The hose on your washing machine may be another culprit. While generally long lasting, hoses older than five years should be checked regularly. The same rules apply to hoses on the back of your water heater. Even if the leak itself is not major, even small leaks can provide an avenue for the growth of mold.
Of all the rooms in your home, the bathroom is probably the most likely source for a water leak. The room is humid and moist most of the time, and broken or cracked grout can lead to mold forming behind tiles, where it may remain hidden for a long time. The spores it produces, however, may contribute to the erosion of air quality in your home.
Of course toilets are a common problem when it comes to water leaks in the home. They constantly have water sitting in them and the plumbing they are attached to is used on a regular basis. Inspect the plumbing running to and from your toilet on a regular basis. If you discover any signs of leakage, have it repaired as soon as possible.
It is important to begin water damage restoration procedures as soon as possible following any sort of flood or water damage event.
Future articles will address the various types of water you may be dealing with, the steps you need to take to properly treat them, and how to avoid losing your shirt when hiring a water damage restoration company.
Play Or Not Play Goalie In Ice Hockey, It Is A Question. How Much Page Rank Do We Need To Move Up? An In-depth Look At The Gbc Smartcut S638pro Rotary Trimmer WHAT I SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF MY MIND Canon 50mm USM - How Does This Lens Compare? Four Question To Guide Your Ucler Reporting Torin T83505 Best Makeup For Dark Circles Alopecia Lace Wigs Helly Hansen The Marvelous Experience Clearance Lace Wigs How To Choose The Right Lace Wig Cheap Full Lace Wigs