The Most Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage is a common occurrence amongst 40% of homeowners. This type of disaster can damage your walls, ceiling, paint, wood, floors, insulation and more. It almost always results in some form of a loss financially as water damage restoration can be costly. Check out our post on the average cost of water damage restoration in Las Vegas.

We have found that a large majority of water damage can be prevented by being an aware and proactive homeowner. Let’s take a look at a list of the most common causes of water damage to the residential homeowner and discuss steps to take to prepare.

Damaged Appliances

Appliances have a useful life limit. They just don’t last forever. As time goes by, the parts on them get brittle, rust, or just weaken. Regular inspection of the visible areas around appliances and the hoses can help you identify a small leak or weakness before it bursts into a massive problem.

Clogged or Backed Up Appliances

Be sure to check your drains on your washing machine and dishwasher once a month. They can have buildup of hair, dirt or food. Clean any filters during this process as well. Run self-cleaning cycles to ensure optimum performance.  Dishwashers can have vinegar added to a cleaning cycle and washing machines can have bleach.

Appliance Water Line Leaks

The hoses that connect your refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine to the water supply are best suited to be braided stainless steel. Check your lines and try to replace them with modern supply lines if possible. The older rubber or PVC lines get cracked and broken over time with the potential to burst. Watch for small drips or pools of water under these appliances.

Broken Pipes

Older homes, in particular, tend to encounter damaged or broken pipes. There are pipes in your walls, floors, ceilings and even outside. Keep your eyes open and check all areas of your house for bulges or discoloration in the drywall, stains in the materials of your home or any other sign of moisture. Catching a small problem within your piping system early on could prevent a larger, more expensive burst down the line.

Clogged Drains

There are many drains throughout the average home.  You have drains in your sink, bathtubs, dishwasher, washing machine, showers and even drains to your storm water. It is very easy for a drain to have a buildup of hair, grease and/or dirt. Once a month, go through all drains in your home and clear them of any physical debris and pour boiling water down them to help dissolve the matter.

Extreme Weather

In Las Vegas, a regular rainstorm has more potential for disaster than in most places around the country. With our soil being less-absorbent than others, rain water just creates rivers and flows wherever it can. Making sure that your doors are water tight and your roof is in good shape can be good measures to take.  After a small rain, you should observe the drainage of your property to make sure there are no areas with heavy standing water which may need to be professionally graded.

Air Conditioning Condensation

AC units create moisture when they run. There is a drain line that takes this water away from  your house. Be sure to have this line checked for blockages and leaks or it will drain right into your house.