Common Causes of Water Damage

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Hot Water Heaters

There are a number of common issues that cause water damage in buildings.  Below are some of the causes and some fixes:

• Probably the most common are broken pipes.  This often occurs due to age and sudden changes in weather, namely cold to hot.
• Faulty household appliances like washers, dish washing machines, hot water heaters.  There are water pressure gauges & FloodStop systems that can be put in place to turn these off should something happen.
• Clogged drains.  These should be cleaned regularly but it is a good idea to stay away from chemicals.  In the short run chemicals do the job, in the long run they can eat through piping.  Snaking the drain or calling a professional is your best bet.
• Clogged gutters.  These can cause water to get diverted down a path that will flow inside the building.
• Tree roots.  Make sure to monitor or remove trees that are growing next to your house.  Tree roots will often grown around pipes and over time can cause cracks.
• Poor drainage.  We see this an awful lot in Texas where there are no basements, instead a crawlspace will get flooded.  Check your crawlspace when it rains. If there is standing water, there are some solutions but often an expert will need to be brought in.
• New construction or a remodel.  Any type of construction leaves the door open for an issue to pop up whether that's an accidental nail through a pipe or a roof that wasn't sealed well.  

We hope that you are able to avoid any water issues but if something should happen, SERVPRO of Southwest Dallas is here to help.