Where to Look for Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Alamo Heights

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

Nobody rises in the morning and says “Wouldn’t it be nice to deal with a water leak today?” Usually
when something breaks, we seldom get advanced notice. Water seeks the path of least
resistance—and often that’s behind a wall or under an appliance.
Water can be a major issue if it gets in the wrong place in your home. Water needs to stay in its
designated places, including sinks, showers, tubs, washing machines and finally in the drains!
Let’s review some common sources of water damage in the home, so you’ll know where to watch:
Bathrooms. Lots of water in here, obviously. But there are also plenty of opportunities for water to
escape and go where it shouldn’t. Be careful of drain seals, and look at those supply lines
occasionally.
Kitchen appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines and the water heater are some of the most
leak-prone appliances. Over time, water connections can corrode or loosen. The opportunity for
leaks in these appliances are high. Water heaters have even been known to explode.
Clogged gutters. Proper gutter maintenance should be a priority at your home. Leaves and debris
that accumulate in the gutter can cause damage to your roof, walls and foundation. Debris impedes
the flow of water off of the roof and away from your home.
Roof damage. Roof leaks can occur for any number of reasons, including damage to shingles that
lets water leak into your home. Once inside, water moves around seeking the path of least
resistance. Water can easily leak onto the ceiling and down the walls.
Old cast iron pipes. Cast iron plumbing stopped being used in common home construction in the
70s. If your house was built before that time, there is a good chance you have iron pipes. A number
of issues can arise from the use of cast iron over time—most notably, slow or clogged drains due to
corrosion or infiltration of roots.
Clogged drains. Food or grease in the sink can easily clog a drain and cause a backup. Hair and
oils from moisturizers in the shower drain can accumulate and clog shower drains. Plunging these
areas too hard could create increased pressure on already weakened drain systems and cause a
leak.
Proper home maintenance is a must! A little maintenance on the front end can help you lower the
risk of leaks and save you time and money.
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.