Top Causes of Water Damage in Homes: Prevention and Solutions

Name: SERVPRO of Washington County
Address: 16527 National Pike, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
Telephone: (301) 797-0677

8/20/2024 (Permalink)

Sometimes, home improvement comes with unexpected challenges. When water decides to make a splash, it’s time to take action and restore order.

Water damage is a common and costly problem for homeowners. It can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and a decrease in property value. Understanding the top causes of water damage and how to address them can help you prevent costly repairs and maintain a safe, dry home. Here’s a closer look at the leading culprits behind water damage and what you can do to safeguard your property.

Broken Pipes

One of the most frequent causes of water damage is broken or burst pipes. Pipes can break due to freezing temperatures, corrosion, or high water pressure. Frozen pipes are particularly troublesome in colder climates, as the water inside them expands and causes them to crack. Keeping an eye on your pipes and insulating them in vulnerable areas can help prevent this issue.

Roof Leaks

A leaking roof can lead to significant water damage, especially during heavy rain. Roof leaks often stem from damaged shingles, cracked flashing, or clogged gutters. Performing regular roof inspections and addressing issues promptly can prevent leaks from turning into more serious problems.

Faulty Appliances

Appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters can malfunction and leak, causing water damage to surrounding areas. Routine maintenance and prompt repairs can help minimize the risk of leaks and water damage from these appliances.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are designed to direct water away from your home’s foundation. When gutters get clogged with leaves and debris, water can overflow and seep into your home’s foundation, causing damage. Keeping your gutters clean and clear is essential for effective drainage and preventing water damage.

Sump Pump Failures

Sump pumps play a crucial role in preventing basement flooding, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall. A malfunctioning sump pump can lead to significant water damage in your basement. Regularly checking your sump pump and having backups in place can help ensure it works when you need it most.

Foundation Cracks

Cracks in your home’s foundation can allow water to seep into your basement or crawl space. These cracks might be caused by settling soil, poor construction, or weather conditions. Addressing foundation issues and sealing cracks can help prevent water intrusion and protect your home’s structural integrity.

Understanding these common causes of water damage can help you take proactive measures to prevent them. If you do experience water damage, professional restoration services can address the issue quickly and efficiently, minimizing damage and restoring your home to its original condition.

Don't Let Water Wait

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

When a disaster occurs in your home or business, it typically comes and goes. Fires burn and then they die out, wind blows through your neighborhood and then disappears, but water works a little differently than other types of damage. Water stays, and in many cases it continues to get worse and worse.

If you find an area in your flooring, walls, ceiling, appliances, etc. that is affected by water damage, it must be coming from some source. If that water is not removed and the source fixed, then the damage caused by that water will only grow. Oftentimes, it will turn into a nasty mold problem that nobody wants to have to deal with. The longer you wait to mitigate the problem, the more of a problem it will become!

Water damage can also come in many forms such as rotting wood, rusting metal, or even something as simple as mold or mildew. Sometimes it can be very hard to spot, but if you think you’ve spotted the beginnings of a water issue in your space, give us a call for an inspection so we can help you as soon as possible! When it comes to any type of disaster in your home or business, the sooner it is caught and remediated, the better. We are here for you no matter how big or small the disaster may be!

Possible Water Issue Sources

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

If you are like a lot of people you might think of water damage to your home being caused by weather; maybe a hurricane or heavy rains.

In reality most water damage comes for non-weather conditions. This might mean a plumbing issue such as pipes, drains and valves failing. It could also be many times from an appliance. This is something that most people don't think about.

Appliances do not always offer warning signs until the damage has already occurred. That is why it is important to check them regularly.

First, know where the main water supply is located in case of emergency.

If you will be away from home for an extended period, shut off the water supply and drain the pipes.

Exceptions might be if your home is heated with steam system or your fire sprinkler system so consult with a professional if you can turn this supply off when leaving.

Consider having your air conditioning system inspected regularly by a professional. Check the drain lines annually and clean them if they are clogged.

Inspect water heaters, showers, tubs, toilets, sinks and dishwashers annually, and have them repaired if there are any signs of leaks or corrosion. When possible, install water heaters in areas with floor drains to minimize damage if leaks should occur.

Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet bases, and make repairs as needed.

If your refrigerator has an ice machine or water dispenser, the hose between the wall and the refrigerator should be made of braided copper.

Check pipes for cracks and leaks. Have pipe damage fixed immediately to prevent more costly repairs in the future.

Check appliance hoses and plumbing fittings for breakage, crimping or bending.

You can't always prevent water damage from happening in your home but many times prevention is your best friend in avoiding water damage from happening.

Water and Mold in Your Home

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Rain is great for your yard but not to get inside your home.

Many people wake up from a rain storm to a wet basement. It may be from the foundation or could be a pipe leakage, sub pump failure. Many things could have happened and you will want to determine how it happened to get the right person out to repair.

In all the cases though you are going to want to call an expert in helping you to dry out your basement. That expert would be SERVPRO of Washington County.

We can get right to work in getting the water up, drying the structure etc. SERVPRO has the knowledge as to what can be dried and saved and what is better off being throw away.

Did you know that organic materials like paper, fabric, wood, leather can start to grow mold in as little as a day? Let SERVPRO help you save as much as possible of your things.

SERVPRO of Washington County is here to help 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

(301) 797-0677

Understanding Types of Water

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is always inconvenient, no matter the type of water causing it; however, understand which type of water you're dealing with can be crucial to minimize destruction until our professionals arrive.

Clean water can be from a broken pipe/water source, or even rainwater.

Clean water becomes gray water after it has been left untreated. Untreated water allows for bacteria and fungi to grow and the water then becomes contaminated. This water can become hazardous.

Black water is typically caused by sewage damage or natural disaster flooding. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by professionals.

How do you minimize the damage from these water types?

For clean water:

If you can, shut off the water source.

Turn off any circuit breakers to affected areas. This protects from any potential electrical shock. Do not enter any rooms with standing water because unknown shock risks could be hiding.

Mop, blot, or wipe down any excess water.

To start drying any damage or soaked upholstery, remove and prop them up to start the drying process.

Move valuables to a safe place

Remove colored items that might bleed or run, causing stains.

Never use a vacuum to remove water. Shock risk is high!

If your ceiling is wet, don't turn on any ceiling fixtures. Don't enter the room is the ceiling is sagging from retained water.

For contaminated water:

Avoid all contact with sewage. Wash yourself thoroughly if you come into contact with contaminated items.

Do not walk through affected areas.

Do not turn on your HVAC system as it could spread contaminated air.

Do not use fans. Air flow could spread contaminants.

If food or personal hygiene products are exposed to contaminated area, discard them.

Water damage can be traumatic, but the cleanup and restoration process doesn't need to be.

Flooding is no Problem for Us!

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy rainfall can cause some pretty annoying issues for your property. A flooded basement is commonplace when it comes to problems in your Washington County home. There are a number of reasons why your basement could be susceptible to flooding, including:

A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
Storm sewer backup
Sanitary sewer backup
Foundation drainage failure
Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
...and many more

We know we say it often, but it really is so true that if flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety. Standing water not handled right away can potentially cause even more severe damage to your home’s structure. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Washington County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

Why should we be your go-to for flooding situations in your WashCo home or business?

We are available 24/7 days a week
We’re a Preferred Vendor to many national insurance companies
We bill the insurance directly – one less thing for you to worry about
Our technicians are highly trained in Water Restoration Techniques
We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards,
advanced inspection and extraction equipment

Basement flooded or questions about flooding?

Feel free to call us ASAP – (301) 797-0677

The Art of Psychrometrics

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know SERVPRO professionals are trained in psychrometrics?

Drying is not a process that should be based on guess work. That's why our SERVPRO of Washington County professionals are trained in psychrometrics. This knowledge and skill set is essential for ensuring that your property dries properly after water damage, in order to avoid secondary damage and/or mold growth.

When you first spot water in your home, it is completely natural to immediately reach for a towel, mop, or a fan to handle the mess yourself. However, it is important to know, that these DIY methods might not actually solve your problem, and can even lead to more damage. Our crews follow strict industry-approved standards that make our applied structural drying process successful.

Restoration starts with your first phone call to SERVPRO. After you have reached out to us and one of our office admins have taken your info and asked you some more questions to further understand your situation:

A SERVPRO of WashCo professional will respond to your location in order to inspect and assess the damage in person. This inspection includes an estimate based on their findings. They carefully inspect your property to detect every component that is wet from the water damage
Our crews then look to special technology to measure how much moisture is in the wet affected materials, and continuously monitor them to ensure these items and materials are drying properly
Our professional drying equipment is utilized to speed up the process of Mother Nature, so your property can be dried as soon as possible to get you back to normal and, "Like it never even happened."

If these parts of the process seem confusing, have no fear...SERVPRO is here! Other mitigation companies might not strive to help you understand your situation or our work, but the team member on site is willing and eager to answer any and all questions you might have. We know it can be overwhelming having to deal with any kind of damage in your home, but SERVPRO always does our very best to comfort and inform you in such times.

The bottom line is that SERVPRO of Washington County has the equipment, sensitivity, and know how to make such stressful situations feel like an absolute breeze!

Keep Rain Outdoors

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Rain is great for your yard but not to get inside your home.

Many people wake up from a rain storm to a wet basement. It may be from the foundation or could be a pipe leakage, sub pump failure. Many things could have happened and you will want to determine how it happened to get the right person out to repair.

In all the cases though you are going to want to call an expert in helping you to dry out your basement. That expert would be SERVPRO of Washington County.

We can get right to work in getting the water up , drying the structure etc. SERVPRO has the knowledge as to what can be dried and saved and what is better off being throw away.

Did you know that organic materials like paper, fabric, wood, leather can start to grow mold in as little as a day? Let SERVPRO help you save as much as possible of your things.

SERVPRO of Washington County is here to help 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

(301) 797-0677

Time and Technology

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

A little water goes a long way in most cases, but especially in terms of water damage. Even the smallest drop of water left to sit after a loss can lead to much bigger problems, including mold. The key to avoiding such mishaps? Proper mitigation and drying techniques. That's why SERVPRO of Washington County should always be your first call when you suspect your home or business has been struck with water damage. Our professionals are specifically trained to use special technology to mitigate properly and efficiently.

Our SERVPRO trained professionals rely on special technology in multitudes of equipment to see to it that affected areas are completely dry after mitigation. The top 5 pieces of equipment we use are:

Moisture Sensors to detect lingering moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls
Moisture Meters determine the actual amount of moisture in different materials. The reading these meters provide aids in the drying process
Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity, this helps calculations for making the environment more conducive to drying procedures
Ultra Low-Volume Foggers atomize liquid deodorizing agents which creates a mist for penetrating any odor causing sites. This tool is also useful for injecting fungicides and disinfectant into wall cavities an other hard to reach spaces
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based solutions via a dense fog. The fog is made up of small particles of deodorizing solutions to neutralize any odors

If this all sounds overwhelming to you, have no fear...SERVPRO is here! Let us worry about the technicalities when it comes to drying your home or business. We have the know how AND the equipment to prevent further damage after a loss that DIY mitigation puts you at risk for.

Clean Water or Not?

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is always inconvenient, no matter the type of water causing it; however, understand which type of water you're dealing with can be crucial to minimize destruction until our professionals arrive.

Clean water can be from a broken pipe/water source, or even rainwater.

Clean water becomes gray water after it has been left untreated. Untreated water allows for bacteria and fungi to grow and the water then becomes contaminated. This water can become hazardous.

Black water is typically caused by sewage damage or natural disaster flooding. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by professionals.

How do you minimize the damage from these water types?

For clean water:

If you can, shut off the water source.

Turn off any circuit breakers to affected areas. This protects from any potential electrical shock. Do not enter any rooms with standing water because unknown shock risks could be hiding.

Mop, blot, or wipe down any excess water.

To start drying any damage or soaked upholstery, remove and prop them up to start the drying process.

Move valuables to a safe place

Remove colored items that might bleed or run, causing stains.

Never use a vacuum to remove water. Shock risk is high!

If your ceiling is wet, don't turn on any ceiling fixtures. Don't enter the room is the ceiling is sagging from retained water.

For contaminated water:

Avoid all contact with sewage. Wash yourself thoroughly if you come into contact with contaminated items.

Do not walk through affected areas.

Do not turn on your HVAC system as it could spread contaminated air.

Do not use fans. Air flow could spread contaminants.

If food or personal hygiene products are exposed to contaminated area, discard them.

Water damage can be traumatic, but the cleanup and restoration process doesn't need to be.

Professional Crews and Equipment

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

A little goes a long way in most cases, but especially in terms of water damage. Even the smallest drop of water left to its own devices after a loss can lead to much bigger problems, including mold. The key to abating such mishaps? Proper mitigation and drying procedures. That's why SERVPRO of Washington County should always be your first call when you suspect your home or business has been struck with water damage. Our professionals are specifically trained to use special technology to mitigate properly and efficiently.

Our SERVPRO trained professionals rely on special training in multitudes of equipment to see to it that the affected areas in your Baltimore area home/business are completely dry after mitigation. The top 5 pieces of equipment we use are:

Moisture Sensors to detect lingering moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls
Moisture Meters determine the actual amount of moisture in different materials. The reading these meters provide aids in the drying process
Thermohydrometers measure temperature and relative humidity, this helps calculations for making the environment more conducive to drying procedures
Ultra Low-Volume Foggers atomize liquid deodorizing agents which creates a mist for penetrating any odor causing sites. This tool is also useful for injecting fungicides and disinfectant into wall cavities an other hard to reach spaces
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based solutions via a dense fog. The fog is made up of small particles of deodorizing solutions to neutralize any odors

If this all sounds overwhelming to you, have no fear, SERVPRO is here! Let us worry about the technicalities when it comes to drying your home or business. We have the know how AND the equipment to prevent secondary damage after a loss that DIY mitigation puts you at risk for.

Extracting Water

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is always inconvenient, no matter the type of water causing it; however, understand which type of water you're dealing with can be crucial to minimize destruction until our professionals arrive.

Clean water can be from a broken pipe/water source, or even rainwater.

Clean water becomes gray water after it has been left untreated. Untreated water allows for bacteria and fungi to grow and the water then becomes contaminated. This water can become hazardous.

Black water is typically caused by sewage damage or natural disaster flooding. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by professionals.

How do you minimize the damage from these water types?

For clean water:

If you can, shut off the water source.

Turn off any circuit breakers to affected areas. This protects from any potential electrical shock. Do not enter any rooms with standing water because unknown shock risks could be hiding.

Mop, blot, or wipe down any excess water.

To start drying any damage or soaked upholstery, remove and prop them up to start the drying process.

Move valuables to a safe place

Remove colored items that might bleed or run, causing stains.

Never use a vacuum to remove water. Shock risk is high!

If your ceiling is wet, don't turn on any ceiling fixtures. Don't enter the room is the ceiling is sagging from retained water.

For contaminated water:

Avoid all contact with sewage. Wash yourself thoroughly if you come into contact with contaminated items.

Do not walk through affected areas.

Do not turn on your HVAC system as it could spread contaminated air.

Do not use fans. Air flow could spread contaminants.

If food or personal hygiene products are exposed to contaminated area, discard them.

Water damage can be traumatic, but the cleanup and restoration process doesn't need to be.

Different Types of Water

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is always inconvenient, no matter the type of water causing it; however, understand which type of water you're dealing with can be crucial to minimize destruction until our professionals arrive.

Clean water can be from a broken pipe/water source, or even rainwater.

Clean water becomes gray water after it has been left untreated. Untreated water allows for bacteria and fungi to grow and the water then becomes contaminated. This water can become hazardous.

Black water is typically caused by sewage damage or natural disaster flooding. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by professionals.

How do you minimize the damage from these water types?

For clean water:

If you can, shut off the water source.

Turn off any circuit breakers to affected areas. This protects from any potential electrical shock. Do not enter any rooms with standing water because unknown shock risks could be hiding.

Mop, blot, or wipe down any excess water.

To start drying any damage or soaked upholstery, remove and prop them up to start the drying process.

Move valuables to a safe place

Remove colored items that might bleed or run, causing stains.

Never use a vacuum to remove water. Shock risk is high!

If your ceiling is wet, don't turn on any ceiling fixtures. Don't enter the room is the ceiling is sagging from retained water.

For contaminated water:

Avoid all contact with sewage. Wash yourself thoroughly if you come into contact with contaminated items.

Do not walk through affected areas.

Do not turn on your HVAC system as it could spread contaminated air.

Do not use fans. Air flow could spread contaminants.

If food or personal hygiene products are exposed to contaminated area, discard them.

Water damage can be traumatic, but the cleanup and restoration process doesn't need to be.

How to Have a Worry-Free Vacation

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

We think about shutting off water lines in the winter to avoid freezing pipes when we are away but we don't think about doing the same in the summer when we go away, but we should.

Many people don't think about it but pipes leak and break all the time in the summer.

If you are going away, you might want to shut off the main water valve. It won't affect your water sprinkler system outside if that may be of a concern.

Instead of thousands of gallons of water spilling in your home you might only get a few gallons. To be even safer, drain the lines before you go. Open the faucet in the bathroom after you have shut off the valves and drain the water out of the pipes and flush the toilet.

The last thing you want is to come home from a relaxing vacation to have water in your house.

Turn the air conditioner up but not off. You want to have air circulating because the heat can affect doors and flooring and you don't want it to have time to collect condensation.

Unplug your electronics. If they are connected to a surge protector just turn that off. You will save money while your away.

Put your lights on a timer to make the house less appealing for robbers.

And most importantly, have a great vacation and a great "welcome home" from your house!

Non-Weather Related Water

9/28/2020 (Permalink)