When you think of water damage, you may imagine basements flooded with water and unstoppable leaks sprouting water. But in reality, water damage is much more subtle & can affect your life badly.
The good part is, even if you cannot prevent the water damage, you can prevent it from causing further damage.
In this article, we have discussed some things you should know about water damage that will help you identify and prevent damage to your property.
4 Crucial Things You Should Know About Water Damage
⇒ Common Causes of Water Damage
Water damage has two major causes – Natural disasters and Plumbing Issues
Water damage can occur because of bad weather conditions like floods, heavy rains, snowfall, storms, etc. When water enters your home it starts affecting every corner of your property including wood, metal, and fabrics.
Another reason for water damage is damaged plumbing or leaks. When water starts seeping into your ceiling, roof, or siding it damages the structure internally.
⇒ Signs of Water Damage
↳ Stains On Ceilings & Walls
If there are water stains on your walls and ceilings, they are a sure sign of a burst pipe somewhere in your home. The most likely places for the leaks are your bathrooms or kitchen.
↳ Increased Water Bill
According to the EPA, the water usage of a typical household is around 300 gallons per day, and it generally remains the same throughout the year except for the summers when it can be slightly higher. However, if your water bills are constantly high, then there is a high chance of a water leak in your house.
↳ Swelling Or Discoloration On Walls
If you notice sudden swelling or discoloration on your wall, it means that your wall has absorbed a lot of water. And there is water damage behind the surface. Additionally, if you notice sudden discoloration on the wall or warping of drywall, it is a sign of water damage.
↳ Musty Odor
While every home has a characteristic smell, if you notice a persistent musty odor in your home that won’t go away, it may be coming from mold & mildew growth due to water damage in your home.
↳ Peeling Paint & Wallpaper
The paint and wallpaper on your wall may have started to peel due to too much moisture. So when your paint starts peeling even after you have applied a new coat of paint, it may be a sign of water damage in your house.
⇒ What To Do After Noticing Signs Of Water Damage In Your House?
Once you have identified the signs of water damage and confirmed that it is indeed water damage, here is what you can do to protect your home from further water damage.
↳ Identify The Source
One of the most important things you should know about water damage is that you should always start by identifying the source of the leak. But it can be difficult to pin down the origin of the leak because there may be multiple leaks in your home from different sources, or it can be the result of an improperly sealed bathtub.
↳ Switch Off The Water Supply
After you have identified the source of the leak, you should isolate the particular area of the leak if the sources are obvious, like the kitchen sink, bathroom, or toilet.
You can do it by turning off the water supply valve in these areas.
However, if you cannot identify the source of the leak, you should turn off the main water supply to your home until you call professionals to fix the issue.
↳ Remove Excess Water
Removing any standing water after water damage should be your priority, as that can inflict significant damage on your home. Excessive moisture may warp the walls as well as floors of your home.
↳ Start The Drying Process ASAP
If you want to avoid greater water damage, you should start the drying process within 24 hours of removing the water, as mold can grow quickly in damp environments.
You may open all the doors & windows to let the humidity go out, remove all the furniture from the area and air dry the sockets to speed up the drying process. But if materials in your home, like drywalls, have been affected, you will need to replace them.
Moreover, you will need to rent a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the water-damaged area.
↳ Call Water Damage Professionals
You can mitigate water damage in a small area of your house, but if a large part of your home has sustained water damage, you should call a professional water damage restoration service.
Professionals have access to the appropriate equipment and can dry any water-damaged area with them. Moreover, professionals can restore your property to pre-damage condition in a short time while also removing any mold growth from your home.
⇒ Harmful Effects of Water Damage
Water damage is way more harmful than you think. It can not only damage your property but also affects your physical and mental health. When water starts damaging your property, it leads to expensive repairs and replacements.
Moreover, water damage brings tons of harmful contaminants that can cause severe health effects. The most common health hazard is caused because of mold and mildew growth after water damage.
Bottom Line
Common causes, signs, restoration steps, and effects mentioned in this article are the crucial things you should know about water damage. The bottom line is, water damage is a terrible experience and can badly affect your life. However, with some patience and quick action, you can prevent the major aftereffects.