Common Causes of Residential Water Damage

Water is one of the most destructive and persistent forces in the world. It can carve massive canyons out of stone and break down the mightiest coastal mountains into fine sand. And you let it into your home as calmly as turning on the tap.

So it’s no wonder that people often experience water damage in their homes. Once you detect water damage, it’s important not only to treat the damage, but to track it back to its source. Here are some of the most common causes of water damage in residences to help you identify the potential sources of your water damage.

Leaks from Roof, Windows, and Doors

The structure of the house is supposed to keep the outside atmosphere and weather out there. However, it doesn’t always do the best job at keeping water out. When you detect water in the ceiling or upper story walls, always consider that it might be the roof, windows, and even doors that are letting water in.

When looking for leaks in the roof, follow the moisture or signs of moisture (like mold) upward until you find the place where it’s leaking. Always be suspicious of anything penetrating the roof, such as vents and standpipes.

For windows, look for damage to drywall and plaster around the frame, such as bubbling and cracking, especially on the lower corners

For doors, you can look for damage to the flooring as well as the walls.

Plumbing Problems

Indoor plumbing is an incredible convenience, but it can also cause extensive problems when plumbing starts to leak. If a pipe bursts, it can release hundreds or thousands of gallons of water before you can get the water shut off.

However, smaller leaks can be even more destructive. A serious water leak can release hundreds of gallons a month behind your walls where it can cause mold and rot for a long time before you might notice it.

Since plumbing runs throughout your house, leaking pipes can cause water damage anywhere. Start at the water damage and track the water backward until you find the leaking pipe.

Condensation from Air Conditioning

Air conditioning works by cooling special fluid in tiny pipes, which then cool the air. When warm air contacts the cool pipes, water condenses on the pipes. This has the secondary benefit of dehumidifying the home, but it also collects a lot of water, which then has to be directed to a drain or else the water will collect and damage the home.

You should regularly inspect and clean the condensation drains on air conditioning units and watch for water around all units.

Bathroom Spills and Poor Ventilation

Bathrooms are the place where you likely use the most water. Between the toilets, sinks, shower, and tub, there’s a lot of water being used there. Unfortunately, there’s also many ways that this water can lead to water damage.

First, there’s plumbing problems, but even if the plumbing is working properly, you might see water damage related to your bathroom because water can spill and overflow from bathtubs and sinks.

Poor ventilation can also lead to damage around bathrooms. When people shower or bathe, they can add a lot of water to the air. Warm, moist air can encounter cold walls when it leaves the bathroom, which causes the water to condense. Condensed water can accumulate on the walls or run down to accumulate behind the baseboards. Over time, the accumulated water can lead to damage like softened drywall or plaster, rotten wood, and mold growth.

Malfunctioning and Leaky Appliances

Many appliances use water, such as a refrigerator with an icemaker and water dispenser or a dishwasher. These appliances are designed to control the water, but they can develop leaks just like any other plumbing.

Other times, appliances can cause water damage if they develop a malfunction, such as a stuck float valve that causes a dishwasher to overfill.

Flooding

Heavy rains, spring melt, and the combination of the two can cause rivers to overflow their banks, leading to widespread flooding. When floodwaters flow into your home, they can cause extensive damage. These not only bring water, but also numerous toxins and biohazards that the river water has picked up on the way.

Flooding is sudden and catastrophic, and, unfortunately, often not covered by insurance.

Sewer Backups

Your sewer line is supposed to direct wastewater out of your home. However, sometimes your sewer line can backup, allowing sewage to flow into the home. When this occurs, your house can experience its own personal flood with dirty, contaminated water.

Groundwater

The ground all around your home is full of water. Ideally, your foundation or slab should keep this water out, but sometimes groundwater can seep into the home. If you notice musty smells or mold growth in your basement, groundwater might be penetrating through the foundation.

Also watch for damage to flooring, including sprung boards, loose tiles, squeaky floors, or visible water damage to flooring.

Dayspring Restoration Can Help with Water Damage

If you have water damage in your home, get help from a water damage restoration professional who can handle the entire restoration process – from tracking the water leak to its source and performing repairs to stop leaks to drying out the damaged area and repairing drywall along with other necessary repairs. At Dayspring Restoration, we can handle all those steps and more, including mold remediation.

Since 1989, Montana residents have relied on Dayspring Restoration to deal with all kinds of water damage restoration repairs after major disasters. It doesn’t matter how severe the damage is, we handle everything from minor repairs to full reconstruction of your home.

We can also work directly with your insurance company to make the claims process easy and ensure your insurance company has all the information it needs to properly pay your claim.

To learn how we can help you stop water damage and reverse its effects on your home, please Contact Dayspring Restoration today.