5 Common Causes of Water Damage

Though most of us may never have to experience the catastrophe of a flash food, a severe storm, or other local natural disaster, we may still have to deal with water damage to our West Michigan homes. Why? You may ask. Well, there are still many ways water damage can occur in your home, if proper maintenance has been missed and sometimes it’s just an unavoidable accident. So, what are the most common causes of water damage that you are likely to experience in your West Michigan home that may require water damage restoration?

Burst Pipes

Pipes that burst can wreak havoc on your home. Typical pipes that can cause problems are water mains, old pipes, washing machine hoses, and ice maker lines. Pipes can burst for a variety of reasons. Old pipes, due to years of use can be one of the first to cause problems. To avoid this, contact a plumber and get a professional assessment as to how your pipes are doing. Though it may cost a little bit of money now, it can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in the long run, as well as loss of personal property that can not be quantified by a dollar amount. Also, to avoid damage done by ice maker lines and washing machine hoses, visit your local home improvement store. Many sell reinforced hoses that are made to last and to protect you from water damage disasters. Though no solution is utterly fail-safe, reinforced hosing can greatly reduce your risk. Again, a little extra money and time spent on your home can keep you from a greater investment and inconvenience.

Accidents

One of the greatest causes of water damage is accidents. The persons in the household most responsible for water damage accidents are children. Small children especially do not yet understand the consequences of running water and the damage that it can cause: water running over the side of bathtubs, over the rim of a toilet, or pooling on the ground near the basement can be fascinating for younger eyes. The best way, as many parents already know, to avoid this is to keep an eye on your kids when they are taking a bath or playing outside and educate them as to the consequences of running water. Though they may not quite understand the full concept of water damage, they will have the understanding that running water in the house or by the basement isn’t a good thing.

Sewer Backup

We all hope that we may never have to deal with a sewer back up. The thought of it sends, especially germophobs, into a pre-event panic. A backed up sewer is gross and can happen to any unexpecting homeowner. Often the cause of a sewer backup is tree roots that have grown into the line and have begun to clog it. To avoid this problem, visit your local home improvement store and purchase enzyme treatments that will help keep your pipes clear of tree roots. General clogs caused by debris flushed down the sink or toilet can also cause an issue. Never flush anything other than toilet paper and those things deemed by the manufacturer as flushable down the toilet. Also, when using the garbage disposal, avoid putting an overt amount of anything down it. Avoid putting grease down your drain, as well. Though while hot grease is a liquid, as it cools it will congeal and create a stubborn clog in your pipes. If you live in an older home, be aware of your sewer lines that may be old and built out of materials such as clay or cast iron, that may be ready to break.

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series about the common causes of water damage that can occur in homes in the West Michigan area. We hope that this blog has helped you better understand some of the common causes of water damage and can help you avoid them.

In Need of Water Damage Restoration?

Are you wondering how your home’s pipes are fairing or how you home would do in the case of a severe storm? Have you been dealing with allergies and have suspicions that mold is to blame? Contact Disaster Response! We are water damage restoration specialists and disaster assessment professionals that can not only help you in the case that you have damage to your home, but also help you avoid damage. We also offer mold testing and mold removal services as well. We would love to help residents in the West Michigan area have comfortable homes that are safe, and if the need arises

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