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Common Causes Of Internal Water Damage In Residential Properties
May 24, 2024

Internal water damage is often a silent assailant, creeping unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. At True North Restoration of Cedar Valley, we know that understanding its common causes can help homeowners in Waterloo prevent potential disasters and ensure the longevity and safety of their homes. The following are some of the most prevalent internal sources of water damage:

Plumbing Failures

What it Entails

Plumbing issues are among the top causes of water damage in homes. These can range from burst pipes due to freezing temperatures to leaky pipes hidden within walls. Even minor leaks can lead to significant problems if they go unnoticed or untreated over time.

How to Prevent

Regular inspections of all visible plumbing, including under sinks and around appliances, can help catch leaks early. It’s also wise to have a professional plumber conduct an annual inspection of your home’s plumbing system, mainly if it’s older or has a history of problems.

Appliance Leaks

What it Entails

Household appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and water heaters can all cause water damage if malfunctioning. Hoses can weaken and break, and seals can fail, leading to slow leaks or sudden bursts of water.

How to Prevent

Regularly inspect the hoses and connections on your appliances for signs of wear and tear. Replace hoses every 3-5 years or immediately if you notice any damage or leaks. Also, monitor the floors around these appliances for any signs of water leakage.

Clogged Drains

What it Entails

Clogged or slow drains can lead to backups and overflows, which can cause water damage. Common culprits include blocked bathroom drains (from hair and soap), kitchen sinks (from food or grease), and toilets.

How to Prevent

Avoid putting grease, coffee grounds, and food scraps down the kitchen sink. Use drain guards to catch hair in the bathroom, and avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper. Regularly clean your drains and consider an annual professional cleaning to prevent buildup.

Faulty Waterproofing

What it Entails

Poor waterproofing in areas like bathrooms, basements, and windows can allow moisture to seep in unnoticed. Over time, this moisture can cause significant damage, including mold growth and weakened structures.

How to Prevent

Ensure that all wet areas of your home are properly sealed and waterproofed. Regularly check and replace caulking around showers, tubs, windows, and doors. Make sure your basement is waterproofed, and that water drains away from your home’s foundation.

HVAC Issues

What it Entails

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems can produce condensation, which may lead to water damage if not properly managed. Faulty installation or maintenance can cause these systems to leak, damaging floors, walls, and ceilings.

How to Prevent

Ensure that your HVAC system is regularly serviced by a professional. Check condensation lines frequently to ensure they are not clogged and drain properly. Keep air filters clean to improve efficiency and reduce the risk of problems.

Emergency Water Damage Repair in Waterloo

Recognizing the common internal causes of water damage in your Waterloo home is the first step in preventing potentially devastating effects. By staying vigilant and conducting regular maintenance, you can protect your property and avoid the stress and cost associated with water damage repairs. For more detailed information or specific inquiries about protecting your home, don't hesitate to contact True North Restoration of Cedar Valley. Our experts are here to help you keep your home dry and secure. By taking proactive steps and being aware of the risks within your home, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering severe water damage. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when maintaining the safety and integrity of your residential property. If you discover water damage in your home, don’t hesitate to contact our experts; we will help you anytime.

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Mold issues are a pain to have. Mold can stick around for long periods of time, sometimes without ever being discovered. It also causes respiratory issues and even sickness, depending on how extreme the mold situation is in your home. However, mold removal can be an even larger and more difficult task. The ideal thing is to prevent mold from growing in your home in the first place. There are a few ways you can prevent mold from growing in your house to ensure you won’t need mold removal in the future. Be Aware The very first step in preventing mold from growing in your home is to be aware of the possible and common places it can come from. Leaking roofs are one of the more simple but typical causes of mold growth . Constant water drips over time create a perfect environment for mold to grow. If caught early on and fixed, you can prevent mold from growing in your house. Pipes are also a very common cause of mold. This can include simple leaks. To prevent mold from growing due to pipe leaks, it’s vital to catch leaks early on. The sound of dripping can be a very good indicator that a pipe is leaking in your home and that it might cause the start of mold growth soon. Any water leaks from appliances can also cause mold to grow inside your house. Keeping an eye out for these things inside of your home is a crucial step for preventing mold growth in your home. If you do find any leaks or excess moisture in your home from any source, including things such as indoor plants, clean up the water immediately. Then, get the leak repaired by a professional water damage restoration service if needed to ensure that it doesn’t cause further damage, especially mold. These services can also remove mold if you didn’t catch the leak fast enough. Dehumidify An important part of making sure that your home doesn’t grow mold is keeping humidity out of your house. A good tool for this is a dehumidifier. This works exceptionally well if your home is always filled with moisture, mainly if you live in a constantly humid area such as Waterloo, Iowa, as your house will probably need something continually working to get rid of the humidity. Be careful if you decide to use one all the time, though. You will need to ensure that these get cleaned regularly, most likely weekly or so, for the sake of your health. Look at the instructions on your dehumidifier to see how often the equipment company suggests cleaning it and make sure it gets properly cleaned. With the use of a dehumidifier, you can help prevent future mold removal. Ventilate Ensuring that your house is well-ventilated is a very easy but effective way to prevent mold from growing in your home. Ventilation, or the consistent moving of airflow in your home, helps dry out any areas of your house that have excess water built up. Iowa is a humid place, so a lot of excess moisture can build up inside a home if you aren’t careful. If this excess water isn’t taken care of, it can cause mold to grow and thrive very quickly. Ventilation , such as keeping windows open during the day or even just opening your windows for half an hour daily, can keep the air flowing through your house. This will prevent the growth of mold in the first place and hopefully ensure that you won’t need to hire mold removal services in the future. It takes a bit of effort to prevent mold from growing in your home, but with just a little awareness and a few simple tips to keep in mind, you can prevent your home from requiring mold removal in the future. Don’t feel bad if you can’t avert mold altogether, though. It can be a very difficult challenge, especially in a humid area like Waterloo. If you do find yourself in need of a water damage restoration service to remove mold for you or have any additional questions about the prevention of mold, don’t hesitate to reach out to an expert such as True North Restoration of Cedar Valley for further answers and solutions to your home.
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