By W P /

Uncommon Issues That Lead To Water Damage
By: 911 Water Damage Experts

As homeowners know, there are more reasons than broken pipes or some appliance issues that create water damage.

From subtle water damage issues that pass the radar by a hair to structural issues to landscaping and architectural design issues, there’s a wide variety of reasons why your home may feel the negative effects of water damage.

Water damage alone makes up 45% of the overall property damages.

And with property and insurance prices increasing, the deductibles have increased as well. This means the amount of money a homeowner has to give increases for the insurance to kick in.

Before we talk about the most uncommon issues that lead to water damage, let’s highlight the most common ones, like:

-The age of the home

-Any flaws that were done when constructing the home

-Issues with landscaping

-Issues with the structure

If you are a homeowner just beginning to experience and notice water damage in the home, the important thing is to act as swiftly as possible which will bring water damage to a minimum.

You need to remove all affected items from the affected area as soon as possible.

In situations where possible, open the windows and doors and provide the space with some air circulation.

If you own a vacuum that you can use in wet spaces, try to gather as much water as possible. If you want to preserve books, just place them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. This is how you will prevent further damage. When it comes to plants, all you need to do is transport them into some smaller pots to preserve them.

After taking these steps contact a professional water damage company and have them access the situation and take the necessary measurements.

Water Damage Done By Structural Issues

It’s true. Structural issues can result in water damage in your home. Some of them include:

Roots from nearby trees

This is mostly considered a landscape issue, the roots can be the main cause of structural damage done in the home. It can easily lead to water damage as well. The roots are always looking for a near source of water and drain it from their surroundings.

This is why the roots can create some severe pressure and damage to your water lines, they can create cracks, grow into the drainage lines and clog them entirely.

So, once they set the water free from the pipes, it has to flow somewhere and that place is usually the inside of the home. This is considered to be one of the most common causes of sewer backup in homes today.

Naturally, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

You can do it by installing a root barrier around the home. This will keep the roots away from the foundation and the pipes.

The other option is chemical root killer. This is how you can prevent the roots from growing permanently. And, in those cases where you are already dealing with roots in the pipes, then the best way to remove them is with a hydro-jetter.

This is a high-pressure water cleaning system that will blast all debris and the soil, leaving you with a properly restored flow.

Change the ground conditions

Sometimes, the ground on which your home was built can shift. The soil tends to expand and this is all caused by water absorption.

Since the ground has to expand in a certain direction, that direction is up. After the moisture dries up, the ground returns back to normal. However, this is a stress that can cause a shake-up to your home and it can create a way for the water to enter the home.

This is how the actual foundation may shift. Once the foundation is raised and then lowered, it may result in cracks in the walls and the floor and the water will enter the home.

Be mindful that if you have a pool or any larger body of water on your property, this can also be the cause of some foundation issues in the home.

The water causes the ground to shift, resulting in cracks in the foundation of the home.

This is the kind of movement that can do some damage to doors and windows too. They might not open or close properly, have some gaps, and start being overall misplaced.

After this happens, the water will find its way into the home easily.

Water Damage Done By Landscaping Issues

Poor landscaping can create some major issues with the structural integrity of your come and result in some serious damage.

This especially goes for water damage. If you fail to have a proper drainage system on your property, then the water can create some foundation issues.

On top of it all, poor landscaping attracts a lot of insects and pests. So, landscaping is not only an aesthetic question but a fundamental question that should be answered as soon as possible.

Water damage can be caused by:

Poor grading around the foundation. This is considered a serious issue. If the landscape drainage is not properly made, the water will start pooling around the home. Eventually, it will enter the home. It can go into the basement and creep up on your foundation easily. This can lead to some cracks and damage to the floor, and the walls, and could result in the creation of mould (if it is not prevented in time).

Driveways and sidewalks. Sometimes, they are constructed without the possibility of water running over or through them. So, they start acting as a dam, and they trap the water and bring it closer to your home.

This is why you should be extra careful when building them. They should give the possibility of the water to pass through them and you can do this by adding an expansion joint every few feet.

The joints will let the water to move freely and pass along the driveway. If you are insufficient of them, you can drill some yourself! Drill some half-an-inch holes into your driveway, of course, using the right equipment and protection gear!

If you notice there is a lot of water pooling around the driveway or sidewalk, then in this case it is best to call a professional to handle it.

And if the sideway or driveway is cracked, all you need to do is repair the cracks.

Trees and flowerbeds: Another area that requires proper creation and maintenance. If they are not graded, the water can easily go back to the home. Also, if there is a lot of standing water around the flowerbeds, it can find its way back to the house and do some damage to the foundation.

Trees can do significant structural damage if they come too close to the foundation of the home. Roots will start searching for water and will come too close to the home, damaging the pipes, and wreaking havoc on the foundation of your home.

In this case, when the water is released from the pipes, it goes back into your home.

Water Damage Done By Flaws In Design And Execution

Sometimes, human error is to blame. Sometimes builders and designers can make a seemingly small mistake, that can spiral into creating significant damage.

Sometimes, the materials may be at fault, other times, the people that have worked on-site are to blame. All this can result in structural damage that can later lead to water damage too. This may become apparent weeks, even months later.

If you need to prove it was someone’s fault, go through the documents, file a claim, and take some pictures too. In some cases, this might be a bit of a challenge, since when it comes to water damage, sometimes it is hard to point the finger at the cause.

Water Damage Done By Time

Water damage happens over time in all homes. Whether it is delayed maintenance or simply the nick of time, the home becomes old after a long period. Floors become saggy, the pipes become rusty and broken, and the cracks are visible everywhere. Chimneys leak and the foundation of the home become unstable.

When this happens, it is best to call a professional water damage company that would be able to help and get all things in order for you. They will assess the situation and provide you with the best solutions.

If you have any questions about our article “Uncommon Issues That Lead To Water Damage” or need a fire damage restoration company, feel free to call us at 1-833-WE-DRY-IT or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.

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