Most homeowners experience water damage to some extent. Knowing the leading causes of water damage and how to prevent it can save you a headache and a ton of money.
Toilet Clogging / Overflowing:
Clogged and overflowing toilets are the leading cause of water damage in residential households. The easiest way to avoid serious water damage is to stay in the bathroom until the toilet bowl has finished filling. Staying in the room allows you to see the water overflow if a problem does occur; if water begins to spillover turn the water supply off at its source. If toilet floods are taken care of quickly it’s unlikely the accident will result in costly repairs, but a problem left unattended can cost home owners thousands of dollars to remedy. To prevent complications with your toilet you should inspect it every six months to ensure it is functioning properly. The fill supply and flush valves on your toilet are important to keep in good working order. The fill valve regulates the water flow to your toilet; a misbehaving valve can result in a huge mess and a lot of harm to your home. If you notice any damage, your local hardware store should carry the materials needed to fix it.
General Plumbing Problems:
General plumbing issues usually present home owners with subtle hints before serious damage occurs. Look for rust stains on pipes, wet soil outside of the home around the foundation, and random noises coming from the pipe line. Living in New England, a major cause of plumbing issues result from pipes freezing over the winter. To avoid frozen pipes keep you faucets dripping a little to keep water flowing through. If the floors in your bathroom are soft and feel like they are caving under your feet, that’s a good indication that considerable damage has already occurred.
Washing Machine Fixtures:
Damage resulting from washing machine fixtures can be caused by a variety of issues, but most commonly it occurs when hoses explode, a machine is over used or small holes in hoses go unnoticed for an extended period of time. One way to prevent damage to your washing machine fixtures is to wash smaller loads. In today’s busy world it’s tempting to throw as many clothes as possible into your machine, however over loading increases water valve and hose setbacks which can cost a lot to repair. It is recommended to replace the hoses in your washing machine every five years. It is also recommended to leave a 3-5 inch gap between the wall and the valve connection to avoid kinking the hose which can cause tears.
Water damage is serious and can cause extensive damage with as little as 2 inches of water. The first 24-48 hours after damage occurs are the most critical to avoid mold growth; give Octagon Cleaning & Restoration a call as soon as you discover that you have a problem.