Preventing Water Damage in High-Risk Areas

12/23/2024 (Permalink)

Woman Looking At Damaged Wall

Preventing Water Damage in High-Risk Areas

Water damage is never a good thing, but some areas are at a higher risk of experiencing it than others. Whether you’re concerned about your home, a business, or another type of property, identifying high-risk areas and mitigating the potential for water damage can go a long way in preventing costly repairs and replacement.

If you haven’t given much thought to the threat of water damage around your property, below are some tips for preventing water damage in high-risk areas:

Complete a Visual Inspection

One of the first and easiest steps to preventing water damage in high-risk areas is to complete a visual inspection of your property to look for areas that may be more susceptible to moisture accumulation. These could include low-lying areas like basements and crawlspaces, exposed foundation elements, dips, gullies, or valleys around your greenspaces.

You can also check areas in bathrooms, kitchens, underneath sinks, around tubs and showers, and other areas at risk of water damage. Look for signs of water damage like mold or wood rot, and pay attention to the air in these areas. Mold growth often emits an earthy, musty odor, so if you detect this in wet areas, this can indicate moisture damage.

Remember that some damage can hide beneath flooring and behind drywall, so gently press on suspect areas. If they feel soft to the touch, this may indicate property damage underneath.

Have Leak Detection Services Performed

If you’re concerned about a water leak after noticing signs of water flow, hiring a professional to perform leak detection services may be a good idea. While you wait for a leak detection specialist to arrive, consider shutting off the main water to your home or business.

This can be done using the water shut-off valve, often located near the street, in a garage space, or a closet. If your leak detection expert needs the water supply turned back on, they will let you know, but turning off your water can prevent extensive damage.

Leak detection often involves completing a visual inspection of appliances that use water, like a sump pump, water heater, washing machine, or dishwasher. Your plumber will also use specialized tools and techniques that may involve sound waves and pressure monitoring to detect the location of any leaks.

Winterize Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing components, including hoses, hose bibbs, and spigots, can freeze during the winter months, even in moderate climates. When water freezes inside pipes, it disrupts water flow, but it also causes a buildup of pressure that can lead to burst pipes and flooding. Homeowners' insurance may not cover flooding, meaning you may be left to cover the entire cost of repairs and cleanup if this occurs.

Burst pipes can be a problem even if freezing temperatures don’t reach your home or business. A hose can freeze if left out in cold temperatures, and if the hose has water in it, this can still cause back pressure on your plumbing system. By taking preventative measures like putting up hoses and insulating spigots, pipes, and hose bibbs, you can prevent structural damage by maintaining equalized pressure in your pipes.

If You’ve Experienced Water Damage

Although the above are some simple steps that can aid you in preventing water damage in high-risk areas, accidents can still happen. If you find yourself facing a situation where you have water damage, there are some dos and don'ts that can mitigate the fallout:

Do Dry Up as Much Water as Possible

Once the immediate cause of the water damage is dealt with, try to dry up as much water as possible as long as you can do this safely. Afterward, you will want to get a company like SERVPRO® involved since simply drying up water doesn’t necessarily mitigate hidden damage under carpets or behind walls. The company’s slogan is “SERVPRO like it never even happened” because restoration experts can completely restore your home or business after a water incident.

Don’t Wait to Seek Professional Help

If you’re going to seek professional help, whether from a plumber or a restoration company, don’t wait to make the call. Once water damage starts affecting the structural integrity of your home or business, you may be at a greater risk for accidents and injuries.

As problems like wood rot spread, they can weaken structures and lead to instability that may not present itself until days, weeks, or even months later. Getting a professional to address water damage quickly is often one key to reducing risks.

Do Clean Up Spills Quickly

Even a small water spill can lead to moisture damage if not resolved quickly. This can happen when water is spilled on carpet or non-treated wood. As moisture seeps into the material, it can cause mold growth and weaken its structure.

This is also the case in bathroom and kitchen areas where water may splash out of a bathtub, run out of a shower, or drip off of a counter. If you don’t have proper sealing around plumbing fixtures, baseboards, and other low-lying areas, repeated exposure to moisture can get inside cracks and crevices to cause damage.

Don’t Ignore Increasing Water Bills

One common indicator that you have a leak is a steady increase in your water bill each month. If you’ve noticed that you’re paying more and more for water, it’s a good idea to have a plumber investigate the issue.

Water leaks often get worse over time due to increasing pressure. Small holes or cracks succumb to water pressure, little bits at a time, allowing more and more water to come through. If these issues aren’t addressed, you’ll likely pay more for water each month, but you’ll also likely find yourself facing flooding in time.

Contact SERVPRO of Arcadia for Comprehensive Water Damage Restoration

If you’ve experienced water damage in the Arcadia community, contact the trusted experts at SERVPRO. Our team provides residential and commercial restoration services to secure your property after a water damage incident.