When water floods into the home, it’s an overwhelming experience that homeowners struggle to know what to do or where to start to clean it up. The restoration process is challenging and can be costly, particularly if precautions weren’t taken beforehand.
Homes are at risk for water damage in a few ways, whether flooding with a harsh storm or plumbing trouble. The priority is to take immediate action immediately following the event to minimize the impact on the property and personal possessions.
Visit Professional Water Damage Restoration: Why Choose This and the Three Benefits | Home Design | finehomesandliving.com – to learn the benefits of professional restoration services.
Let’s look at the causes of water damage and consider the benefits of using a professional water restoration service.
Home Flooding Causes and Solutions
While flooding is a devastating cause of water damage, other common occurrences can have a comparable result, such frozen pipes that burst, leaks in the plumbing system, and defective appliances. Many homeowners are unprepared, with few precautions in place if an incident were to happen.
And many are unsure how to handle the aftermath, leading them to search for a reputable and reliable water restoration company to make quick work of cleaning the mess. Here are common reasons for floods in the home and preventive measures to take to minimize the damage.
Defective appliances
Varied large appliances are a staple for many homes, many of which use water, such as a washing machine and dishwasher. These machines can malfunction for several reasons, whether clogged drains, faulty hoses, or possibly improper installation.
When you notice the leak, the problem is already growing out of hand; it’s only a matter of time before you experience severe water damage.
When preparing to clean up a mess, it’s important to find the source of the problem so it can be fixed and avoid the possibility of a recurrence soon after clearing up this instance.
Broken pipes
Broken pipes can be the source of destructive flooding in a household since water travels from and to multiple areas through the plumbing system. The reasons pipes burst or break include:
- Loose fittings
- Extreme temperatures less likely in southern, tropical regions
- Poor water quality creates corrosion
- Sometimes, damage occurs with a repair or replacement
Homeowners need to make a point of knowing where the pipes are located outside and on the inside of the property. In order to help mitigate damage risks, the pipes should be inspected routinely to detect potential defects like leaks, cracks, or corrosion. Click for details on what to expect with water damage cleanup.
Water heater leakage
The water heater is another appliance that can flood the home when it isn’t efficiently functioning. Usually, these are out of sight and out of mind, with most homeowners not considering the potential for damage until an actual problem arises.
Because water is constantly filling, even a slight leak can lead to substantial damage, which can be incredibly destructive if you’re away when it decides to flood the house. As part of household care and upkeep, the water heater should be regularly inspected for signs its lifespan is expiring.
It should also be adequately and consistently maintained. If a minor leak develops, it should be addressed immediately by a professional plumber to avoid the potential for flooding.
Clogged gutters
Water is diverted away from your house with rain gutters and downspouts. When debris accumulates in the gutters, it can lead to clogs and an overflow, with the excess water ultimately pooling around the foundation. Severe flooding can occur as a result.
The way to avoid this issue is with routine gutter cleaning so the water flows as it should and keeps the water away from the house.
Poor drainage
Another common cause of indoor flooding is the accumulation of grease, debris, and food in the drains, leading to blockages or clogs.
A simple and straightforward way to keep things out of the drain is to use a drain screen that catches debris such as vegetable peels, food scraps, eggshells, and oils so these don’t back up the system.
You may have a garbage disposal, but certain things cannot be put in because they tend to cling to the pipe, gradually developing a clog. Some homeowners will eliminate clogs using chemical drain cleaners, not realizing that this is only a temporary solution.
Plus, harsh chemicals can corrode the pipes, creating breaks and cracks that leak and flood the home. When materials are constantly forced into the drain that shouldn’t be disposed of in this way, clogs and blockages will be persistent. A permanent fix is to learn what you can and shouldn’t be sending into the system.
Because you resolve the underlying source of the problem, there’s no need to implement temporary solutions, which are essentially a waste of time, effort, and costs.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Water Restoration Service
There’s a lot to handle when you experience a flood inside the home, and many homeowners are unsure what to do or where to start with the mess. While promptness is key to preventing worsening damage, it’s also crucial that the cleanup process be performed properly.
By working with a reputable and qualified professional water restoration service like Greenlight Restoration, you can have peace of mind knowing your house will be restored to a healthy and safe condition.
Safe, prompt, and efficient
The focus of floodwater cleanup is safety. This water consists of hazardous materials and dangerous bacteria with the potential for mold growth and mildew. Mold will start to grow as soon as 24 hours following water intrusion and will spread rapidly.
Professional service providers have extensive training and specialized tools and equipment to make repairs and clean the mess adequately for a restored home void of environmental threats. They also know restoration is more than eliminating water but knowing which areas to clear first to minimize the damage.
Final Thought
Being consistent and acting proactively with household care and upkeep can prevent issues that lead to flooding in the home. Appliances, including the water heater, should be inspected routinely for defects and have these fixed before they worsen and cause water damage.
Quality and qualified water restoration companies identify the source of leaks and promptly and efficiently handle cleaning and drying the space to present a thoroughly restored home.
