Water Damage and Its Causes

Water damage is one of the worst things that a homeowner or a landlord can have to deal with on their property and most of us generally know what causes it, but what about the specifics? There are many different causes of water damage, but some are a bit more evident and common than others.

One of the best things that you can do to prevent water damage in your bathroom is to have a tile floor and not a carpeted one. Carpeted bathroom floors are popular in some circles, but they’re particularly good at absorbing water and hiding a water damaged (and probably mold infested) floor underneath. If you don’t have a tile floor yet and you can’t afford to have one installed at this time, do your best to make sure that your toilet and bath tub do not overflow.

A leaky roof is often a culprit of water damage in the attic and on ceilings and this can be prevented by purchasing a waterproofing sealant for your rooftop. This will prevent water from seeping into the house through a small sized leak. Unless something punctures your roof, this should fix most problems. Making sure your roof is properly angled depending on the climate that you live in is also essential to preventing water damage due to a leaky roof. If the roof is not properly angled so that snow and ice can fall off and to the ground, it will weigh down on it and eventually cause not only structural damage, but also water leaks.

Check the pipes underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks and also any other pipes that are exposed to make sure that they are not cracked or otherwise damaged. They and any hoses should connect firmly to dishwashers, laundry washers, and sinks. Properly insulating your exposed pipes indoors and outdoors is also essential to keep them from freezing and bursting during the winter. If it drops below 20 degrees, leave a little water running through your faucets; running water is more difficult to freeze than its standing counterpart.

The land around the base of your home should be sloping away from it so that water is directed away from the foundation. If it is not, it will leak into your cellar and possibly cause structural damage to your home’s foundation. Water loosens soil and it can cause your home to sink into the ground over time.


Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors.