Water damage is among the most severe household problems encountered homeowners. According to experts, this problem should not be ignored but instead be taken seriously. This is because failure to locate areas in your house with water damage can lead to structural issues. Also, this could result in the development of mold, which is regarded as a significant health risk to house occupants. So, to prevent these undesirable results from happening, you should learn how to spot signs of water damage in your home. For a start, you can check the following places.
Table of Contents
1. Bathroom and Toilet
The bathroom and toilet are prone to water damage. This is because both of them deliver their function using water. Due to this, they are expected to be among the top places where water damage is expected to occur.
Water damage in bathrooms and toilets is usually caused faulty bathroom waterproofing, floor cracks, and wall cracks. These conditions allow water accumulation that will affect the integrity of the area’s structure and foundation. Accumulated water can weaken a wall and the area that supports the floor over time. Thus, it is best for you to check both of these places for water damage regularly.
2. Air Conditioner
The air conditioner is among the top places that you should check for water damage. Regardless of its type (split type or window type), air conditioners create condensed water formed at the evaporator coil when the unit is running. The condensed water is typically directed to a drain via a small line for disposal. When the line gets clogged, the water will no longer be adequately disposed of, and the water gets accumulated. The condition creates a perfect environment for mold buildup and could lead to damages. So, to prevent this from happening, the air conditioner’s drain line, condensate pump, and refrigerant should be checked regularly.
3. Water Heaters
Due to the nature of their function, water heaters, in the long run, become leaky. When this happens, the area that surrounds the tank regularly gets wet. This condition provides an excellent opportunity for molds to develop. Given this, it is strongly advised that leaks should be fixed immediately, no matter how big or small. It is best for you to hire a reliable and appropriate service provider for excellent results to do the job.
4. Water Pipes
Old and leaky water pipes are the most common cause of water damage. Although all of these pipes are designed to handle water well, their performance eventually changes as they get old. But since most of these water pipes are hidden in plain sight, the damages they cause due to leaks are also hidden. The damages caused usually becomes visible when the water has already seeped through the floors and walls. The good thing is that this situation can be prevented. All you need to do is have the water pipe system checked a licensed plumber in your house. Also, do not hesitate to have even the tiniest leaks from the pipes repaired immediately.
5. Refrigerator
The water damage caused leaks from a refrigerator is among the hardest to be noticed. This is because the leaks usually originate from the water line connected to the ice maker and are not readily visible. However, in case you suspect that your refrigerator is leaking, make sure to unplug it first. Then, check the wall directly behind the freezer for possible water damage. In case there is, contact a licensed service provider to handle the needed repairs.
6. Gutters
The gutters of your house should be inspected regularly, especially during the fall and spring season. The very reason for this is that the gutters collect many foreign objects such as debris, leaves, and sticks during these seasons. These objects eventually get stranded on the gutters, there causing the water to spill on the sides. When not fixed properly, this condition could cause the water to seep into the house’s foundation and even cause a flood.
7. Washing Machine
A typical washing machine can handle an average of 15 to 30 gallons of water for every load. All of its components are designed to function well as long as the load does not exceed the maximum. But as the unit gets older, it will no longer provide the type of service offered when it was new. In most cases, hoses and pipes already have leaks. Thus, it would help if you regularly inspect your washing machine to have the leaks fixed and avoid more repairs in the future.
8. Air Ducts
Leaving the air ducts unchecked for a few months can be a big problem. This is because the accumulated moisture could boost the development of mold in the air ducts. Also, the air ducts are relatively hard to reach and cleaning them is pretty challenging. Due to this, you need to check and clean these air ducts regularly. Doing such will improve the air circulation of your house and remove the mold that causes various diseases.
9. Sinks
The sink is one of the highly-used features of the house. It is used for various washing needs. Thus, sinks are designed to deliver their function using this. Given such, the sink is prone to water damage. So, to prevent it from getting damaged completely, it is best to have the sink and its pipe cleaned regularly.
10. Ceiling
The ceiling of your house should always be checked for water damage. The ceiling is directly located below the roof. So, if the roof gets damaged, the water will seep through the ceiling and spread through the walls. Also, water seepage might cause them to crack. Since it is difficult to repair the broken walls, it is best to inspect the ceiling for leaks and have the defects repaired right away to prevent water damage.
Water damage is indeed a common and challenging problem that confronts most household owners. Fortunately, knowing the most common places to look for water damage is very helpful in preventing its adverse effects. Also, hiring professional service providers is a good move since this makes the completion of the needed repairs faster.
