Water Damage Causes
Let’s talk about what can cause water damage.
Some Things to Watch Out For – Common Causes for Water Damage
- Clogged gutters. Your gutter system is designed to collect and direct water from the home. When gutters become clogged with debris, a dam is formed that allows water to overflow and run down the side of the house or get absorbed by the roof.
- Leaking pipes. A pipe leaking in the wall, under the sink, or in the slab foundation of your home can cause damage over a period of years.
- Leaking appliances. Any appliance in your home that uses water can develop a leak and damage your home. This includes the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
- Overflowing toilets. A clog in your toilet that causes water to overflow can cause damage.
- Sewer back-ups. A main sewer back-up is one of the most severe and dangerous types of water damage as it is dangerous to your health. Sewer back-ups are often caused by tree roots growing in the sewer line and clogs in the drain lines.
- Basement flooding. Basements are at risk of flooding because they are built under the water table. One of the best ways to reduce this risk is installing a sump pump to remove excess water.
- Flat roofs. Flat roofs are much more likely to leak because they do not have a slope to drain water away from the property and instead rely heavily on roof drains.