Common Culprits of Home Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis team if you are dealing with any water damage.

We’re willing to bet you didn’t wake up this morning, fingers crossed, hoping to deal with a big water leak somewhere at home. Of course you didn’t. No one does.

But perhaps you woke up with wet carpet or a damp ceiling anyway, and we’re sorry about that.

Water is always in exploration mode, looking for new places to conquer, so it’s helpful to know some of the usual places you may want to look to find the source of a leak.

Toilets. Toilets are used constantly, especially in family homes, and everything from a worn flapper to condensation on the bowl can cause water to end up where it’s not supposed to be.

Appliances. Any appliance that uses water is a suspect for leaks, given the time and opportunity. Refrigerators leak from supply lines, washing machines leak from drain pipes, and oh yeah, sometimes water heaters literally explode.

Clogged gutters. Cleaning the gutters is a wearisome but essential task for homeowners to do a couple times a year. Otherwise, fallen leaves, debris and dirt get compacted over time, building a dam that sends water up in your roof and into your walls instead of down the spout.

Roof damage. After any major storm, you should inspect your roof for damage. You may be able to tell certain kinds of damage from the ground. You should always keep the age and condition of your roof in mind, as shingles are prone to breaking and bowing over time.

Pipes. Rusted or disjointed pipes are heavily suspect, and outdoors you may even have to contend with tree roots growing into a crack in outdoor lines, any of which can cause a big, wet mess at home.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Coffee grounds, paint or even onion skins can gunk up your garbage disposal and cause blockages or backups. And the plunging you may have to do to unstop the blockage could very well cause your p-trap to burst, spilling water and bits of food everywhere (it’s best not to even think about it).

All our modern conveniences have lifespans, even the best-made ones. But a little care and periodic inspection can make all the difference when it comes to stopping leaks before they get a chance to start.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.