Water damage in the home can create a multitude of issues for residents, ranging from mildew and mold growth to structural issues, rot, biohazard contamination and costly repairs. Unfortunately, traditional homeowner policies usually do not cover this form of damage; however a separate flood policy may be available as protection.
Protect your home from water damage by inspecting appliances for leaks regularly and replacing hoses as required.
Water Damage Prevention
Water damage is among the costliest home insurance claims to resolve, often leading to health complications in vulnerable populations such as young children or senior citizens. Furthermore, it makes your house untidy and uncomfortable to live in.Home warranty protection is thus necessary. Cinch provides advice on water damage and home warranties if you need to learn more.
Home water damage typically results from unchecked plumbing problems, rather than floods or storms. This includes leaky appliances, clogged pipes, groundwater seepage and building envelope failures that lead to these damages.
Regular home maintenance, both interior and exterior, can prevent water damage to both its interior and exterior surfaces. Hoses should be disconnected in autumn in order to stop standing water freezing into and bursting the hose pipe.
Homeowners should periodically replace washer and refrigerator hoses every five years to reduce risk of rupture and ensure an efficient home. You can also install a water alarm to detect leaks or install a non-invasive moisture meter to identify areas with damp walls – both techniques will save both money and effort in identifying wet spots in walls.
Detecting Leaks
Water spots, mold growth or musty odors in your home could be telltale signs that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing. Leaks may occur suddenly from severe weather or slowly over time from rusted pipes, high water pressure or broken connectors and appliances in need of repair.
If there is water accumulating on the floor or underneath any appliance or fixture in your home, shut off its water source valve immediately and check your water meter – an increasing reading indicates there may be an issue.
Leaks can lead to many issues, from decayed wood to mold and mildew growth. Category 3 water contamination represents the greatest health risks, while Categories 1-2 pose less immediate health concerns but still require immediate repairs. During water damage restoration it is vitally important that any potentially hazardous materials be immediately removed before becoming saturated with mold and mildew growth.
Repairing Leaks
As soon as a serious leak becomes visible, immediate action should be taken. The first step should be to switch off the water source at its source – either with a faucet handle or shower handle – with shut off valves located near most pipes that can be turned clockwise to stop its flow of water.
When dealing with leaky pipes made from plastic or PVC connections, repairs are generally easy to make on your own. For metal pipes however, professional services will usually be necessary in order to make necessary repairs.
Once the water has been controlled, the next step is to clean up and disinfect the area. This step is especially crucial if the source of the flood was from sewage because biohazard contaminants present can be hazardous for anyone exposed – including children, elderly family members and pets. Porous materials like carpeting, insulation and fabric may become permanently damaged from flooding; furthermore mildew and mold growth can occur unchecked if left untreated.
Mold Removal
Mold can pose a threat to surfaces and materials as well as health. It contaminates air quality, creating breathing issues in those with preexisting respiratory issues. Mold produces spores which attach themselves to damp spots on surfaces where water has collected; they then feed off whatever they find there, digesting whatever they infest and growing into visible colonies within 48 hours after an event with excess moisture has taken place.
Dehumidification and ventilation are vital tools in combatting mold growth. Fans and dehumidifiers help remove warm, moist air from water damaged areas by extracting it with cooler drier air – creating an environment less conducive to its presence and therefore growth of mold.
Professional mold remediation teams can quickly assess a situation and contain it, preventing mold spores from spreading to other areas of a property. Porous materials that have become infested must be bagged and discarded immediately – such as carpet, drywall or insulation; non-porous hard plastic, metal and wood materials may be cleaned using detergent solutions; bleach may be used to kill any remaining growth; this should always be conducted in an airtight space using appropriate safety procedures and equipment.