Water damage has the ability to ruin your home. If a pipe has been leaking for a long time before you noticed it, the damage can be immense. The average homeowner spends between $1,213 and $5,164 to restore or repair water damage, with an average of $3,187! Water damage affects buildings on many levels. Water can cause your floors to warp, discolor painted walls, collapse your ceiling, and cause mold growth that can be detrimental to you health.
What Causes Pipes to burst?
Freezing temperatures are the leading cause of burst pipes, especially in the northeast region of the United States. As temperatures get lower and close to freezing, the chances of a pipe bursting in your home vastly increases. New York Cities infrastructure faces yearly challenges from pipes bursting and the damage associated. It is estimated that the city pays $400 million annually in pipe repairs.
The freezing temperature of water is 32°F, however since pipes are insulated, the temperature needs to be a bit lower to free them. When the temperature outside reaches freezing temperatures, the water coming in will also be colder than what is already in your home.
A general rule of thumb is six consecutive hours of exposure to cold air at 20°F or lower can put your pipes at risk of freezing. The cold water causes your pipes to shrink and in weaker areas, can even cause the pipe to rupture. This happens because the pipe becomes unable to withhold the water pressures inside it.
CONTACT US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU RECOVER FROM WATER DAMAGE IN YOUR HOME.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Water Damage
While something may seem minor, it can quickly turn into a major problem. If you don’t repair water damage when you see it, it can lead to structural damage of your home. If you see cracks in the walls or ceilings of your home, remediation is necessary quickly.
Water damage left untouched in your home will create a damp atmosphere with risen moisture levels. This environment is perfect breeding ground for toxic mold and mildew to grow. Untreated mold and mildew inhalation can lead to skin problems and respiratory issues, especially for who already have conditions like asthma or eczema.
The longer you leave water damage, the greater cost it will be to repair it in the end. Fixing the initial problem at hand can be quick and relatively cheap but just because it’s minor now doesn’t mean it will stay that way.
Water has the ability to wreak havoc on your electrical system. For example if you were to let a basement flood for too long, surely you will face some electrical problems.
The water damage that you can see may be just a minor portion of what’s really going on. Underneath there may be far larger issues that need to be taken care of.
Checking For Signs of Water Damage in Your Home
- Start outside of your home. Scanning the perimeter of your home will make it easier to narrow down the cause of home water damage from external sources.
- Leaking or cracked shingles. A crack in your roof can lead to leakage in your attic.
- Check on windows or doorframes. A small separation on your windows or doors can lead to humidity getting into your house, which may cause mold.
- Water rings on wall or ceiling. Water rings are a good indicator that water is getting into your home and it should be taken care of.
- Soft or sagging spots on the floor. Areas around your bathtub, shower, or sink are prone to leaks and can ruin your floor.
- Cracked or warped tile, laminate or wood flooring. Tell tale signs of water damage on your floor is your floor becoming warped or cracked. Water can negatively effect all kinds of floors.
- Under cabinet sinks. Looking inside your sink cabinets for signs of pipe leakage and dampness. This is in area where mold commonly grows.
- The basement. During heavy rainfall the water may accumulate around the perimeter of your home, causing gradual water damage in your basement.
Preventing Water Damage
- Clean your gutters often
- Inspect your home for potential water leaks
- Check your roof for missing shingles
- Install a smart water main shutoff valve
- Install smart water sensors
- Be sure water pipes are properly insulated
How Eastern Environmental Solutions Can Help
We have a dedicated water damage & mold remediation department providing 24/7 emergency response and support. We are equipped to handle everything from from minor flooding & water damage to complete flood & toxic mold restoration projects.
We have an expanding list of air mover drying units, industrial dehumidifiers, trash pumps, vacuum trucks, and more to handle any water or mold damage situation saving you time and money.
In as little as 48-72 hours water damage can breed a toxic mold infestation. This is why you should call one of our experts for a free consultation. We have vast experience working directly with insurance companies making your water & mold damage problems as stress-free and efficient as possible. Call us today!
CONTACT US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU RECOVER FROM WATER DAMAGE IN YOUR HOME.
It’s really alarming to read the different places that water damage can form around your home. With how many areas this can happen in, I can suspect that our recent pipe problems have ended up causing this one way or another. I’ll work with a water damage expert in the area right away so they can help us find out where this might have happened and fix it immediately.