Common Causes of Water Damage near You

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Have leaky pipes, sink overflow or flooding? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today! (608) 497-3331. Proudly serving the Dane County, Madison, WI area

Water Damage in the Madison, WI area

Water can damage floors, drywall, kitchen, and bathroom cabinets as well as spread contamination. 1 in 50 homeowners files water damage claims each year, according to a report prepared by Verisk Analytics’ ISO unit. 

The good news, according to these sources, is that 93% of all water damage could have been prevented. 

Here are some ways to protect your home or business from water damage.  

• Appliances: As appliances age, their hoses can weaken, and their pipes can rust. Common causes of refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine leaks include worn gaskets, broken doors, and clogged drains. If the water pools are without immediate discovery, a great deal of damage to the kitchen can occur from this water damage.  
• A great way to prevent buildup in your dishwasher is to add lemon juice, vinegar, or baking soda in the dishwasher during a cycle.  
• When refrigerators leak they typically produce a lot of access water that can pool on the bottom of them. The refrigerator leak may be caused by high humidity, leaving the refrigerator door open for long periods, or a clogged defrost drain tube that causes the water to overflow and leak out of the bottom of the refrigerator. To prevent your refrigerator from flooding, be sure that it is well insulated, and avoid moving it from its typical position too often.
• Washing machine drainage issues and leaky hoses can often cause flooding. A shutoff kit can often prevent water from flooding into your home.
• Damaged Pipes: The sudden changes to the direction of water flow can be too much for pipes to bear, eventually resulting in leaks. To prevent plumbing problems before they start, be on the lookout for cracks, bulges, stains, and other signs of moisture on your ceiling or floors. If you spot a leak, it could be a sign that there is damage in other areas as well. 
• Clogged Drains: Drains frequently clog with dirt, grease, hair, and other substances. If sink drain clogs are left unchecked, clogged drains can cause unwanted water damage from overflow. Pouring boiling water down your drain once a month can help dissolve grease, soap scum, and other debris before it clogs your pipes.
• Sump Pump Problems: If your sump pump stops working, you could have a major flood in your basement. While there are many ways a sump pump can fail, loss of power, an overworked pump, and a defective sump pump are the most common reasons for failure. To keep your sump pump working optimally, always make sure that it is standing upright, keep up with preventative sump pump maintenance, and be sure to check your pump regularly to make sure it’s working.
• HVAC Units: Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can cause extensive water damage if it’s not maintained. The common causes of HVAC water leaks include improper interconnection of pipes, clogged drains, and frozen evaporator coils. Be sure to have these systems inspected and cleaned regularly.
• Structural Damage: Check your home regularly for signs of moisture dripping through your concrete and crawl spaces. Cleaning your gutters regularly and maintaining your trees and vegetation will help keep unwelcome water from damaging your walls and foundation. 
• Natural Disasters: Floods, breaking dams, and snowstorms can all bring excessive and unwanted water into your home, causing a great deal of water damage. A flood alarm and warning system can help you protect your home against a natural disaster. You can also grade your lawn away from the house. Know where the water main is and shut it off when you leave for an extended period to prevent coming home to flooded property.

Preventing Residential and Commercial Water Damage

Appliance failures, broken pipes, clogged drains, sump pump failures, HVAC system malfunctions, and structural property damage are a handful of reasons water damage happens. Taking the proper precautions will likely prevent water damage from occurring. 

When water damage takes control of your life, we help you take it back. We are available 24/7 for emergency services to help you regain control quickly. We work with your insurance for a stress-free claims process.

We are an IICRC Certified Firm. 5-Star Google and Facebook Ratings. A+ BBB Rating. Independently owned and operated in the Madison, WI, Dane County area. 

The SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Process

Water or Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today – (608) 497-3331