Water is one of the most patient elements. Unlike fire, which rampages for a short time, water has endless patience. This eventually pays off when it washes away coastlines and erodes mountains. But water doesn’t have to wait millions of years to do considerable damage to your home.
Water can crack concrete, rot wood, and even rust away galvanized sheet metal if given enough time. And unfortunately, water damage is extremely common among home in the United States. Learn about the common causes of water damage in American homes as well as how to prevent them.
Image by Paul Brennan
A Deluge of Numbers
How often do you think people call the plumber or their water service provider because of an emergency? Whatever number you’re thinking, it’s much higher than that. According to industry experts, approximately 14,000 people in the United States have experience related to water damage every single day.
That doesn’t sound so bad in a country as large as the United States, but it’s staggering when you think of its as more than 5 million incidents in a single year. Insurance providers have also conducted their own research into water damage incidents. According to an article published by Insurance Business magazine, more and more water damage claims are being filed by homeowners every year. In fact, in 2017 alone, the average cost of each claim was approximately $10,000. In total, insurance companies paid out over $13 billion to homeowners because of water damage.
Clearly, water damage is one of the most pressing problems any homeowner can encounter. Take a look at some of the most common causes of water damage in homes and what you can do about them.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Homes
Water damage can be expensive to repair. An American homeowner typically spends between $1,150 and $4,700 dollars just to repair water damage. The best way to avoid paying such hefty fees is by understanding what case water damage in your home could and how to prevent them.
The weather can introduce water into your home in different delightful and damaging ways. Heavy rain and seep through your roof and the floor of your exterior decks, soaking posts, and floorboards. Fast winds can splash rain into areas normally protected by awnings and overhangs. And finally, flooding can fill your basement and crawlspaces with water. Inclement weather, particularly from floods and storms, are among the most destructive causes of water damage.
How to Prevent Them: There are certain installations that can protect your house from weather-induced water damage. Ceiling contractors can install efficient drainage systems under your outdoor decks. Sump pumps can keep your basement clear of floodwater. Of course, the most basic advice is to avoid buying homes that are in flood zones. However, a study found that more than 5 million housing units, both public and private, are situated in floodplains. The best you can do is trust in your installations and routinely check them for repair or upgrading.
Faulty piping doesn’t have to spew a deluge to cause extensive damage to your home. A small leak in your pipe can rot your drywall and create a fungal colony due to increased humidity. Larger leaks can flood rooms and even compromise the structural integrity of your house. This problem can be caused by weakened pipes due to age and earthquakes or similar events.
How to Prevent Them: If your house is more than 10 years old, you should conduct a thorough inspection of your home’s pipes once a year. If you can afford it, slowly replace the piping with more durable materials every year. This will reduce the chances of pipes bursting because they become brittle over time. After earthquakes or intensive home remodeling, you should also check to make sure your pipes are intact and prevent too much leakage.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your piping, but from someone else’s. If you’re living in a flood-prone area or even just an area that regularly experiences heavy rains, the drainage and sewage pipes near your home can overflow and even pump water into your home than out. This can cause smelly and messy problems.
How to Prevent Them: Most sewage or drainpipe problems lead to basement flooding. You can prevent this from occurring by installing a sewage overflow pump or a sump pump. This machine stops overflowing rainwater or sewage from entering through your pipes and keeps your basement dry.
If it’s not the weather nor the pipes, water damage must come from fixtures and appliances. Some of your appliances directly connect to water pipes and unless these connections or the appliances are sturdy, it can lead to leaks. Appliances most likely to cause water damage include dishwashers and washing machines. Any improperly fitted or damaged faucet can be the source of a leak.
How to Prevent Them: Always ensure you’ve attached appliances securely to water pipes. Follow the recommended instructions of each appliance or hire an expert to strengthen these attachments for you. Inspect your fixtures regularly and see if they have any cracked washers or lose-fitting faucets.
Water is patient but you can be prepared for it. Regular inspections and practical considerations can help you prevent water from damaging your home significantly.
