What may start as a minor crack in your roofing or a loose pipe can quickly lead to catastrophic water damage. With fall in full swing and winter fast approaching, the intense wet weather around the country will expose these imperfections in the roofs of thousands of homes this year.
It’s imperative for the safety of your home, and your wallet, that you take the necessary preventative steps to avoid the expensive damage that water can cause.
Below we’ll go over the main ways in which water damage can affect your home and be prevented.
The Most Common Causes of Water Damage
By no means is water damage an uncommon occurrence, in fact it happens all the time. According to Forbes, “Every year, about one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage or freezing claim, accounting for almost 24% of all homeowners insurance claims.”
Water damage can be attributed to any number of issues or accidents, but they can be primarily associated with a few key sources.
Roof leaks can be one of the leading causes of water damage in any household. A small crack in the roof and a night of light rain can leave non-waterproof sections of your home flooded. When this water gets in from the top and works its way down, it spreads damage far beyond the site of the leak.
Another major contributing source of water damage is loose or leaky pipes. These issues sneak up within your walls where you can’t find out until after the leak has already done enough damage to be noticed. Beyond the standard issues associated with standing water, the water from pipes can carry hazardous waste from sinks, showers, and toilets. Not only is a leak like this gross but it is also extremely unsafe to have sitting unresolved.
Finally the last of the big three is leaks from broken appliances. These leaks tend to have the biggest impact on flooring. Fortunately, unlike pipe and roof leaks, homeowners are much more likely to catch this before it goes as far as the other two.
The Damage Itself
Water damage is an umbrella term for the damage caused by leaks and flooding, but the actual damage it causes can vary quite a bit.
In the case of roof leaks, the often unnoticed damage can sit and grow for a while before it becomes noticeable. The damage the build-up of water can do before being dealt with can be incredibly expensive to fix. When the water has time to dwell the surrounding materials like wood and drywall will soak it up and lose its structural integrity. As with most situations where moisture isn’t properly treated or attended to, bacteria will flourish and mold and mildew can grow.
For appliance and pipe leaks the damage can be different but share some key similarities. As it is with a roof leak, the longer the water sits the more damage it can cause to the integrity of the materials and structures it comes in contact with.
However, in the case of appliances and pipes, fresh water is not the culprit, instead it can be soapy or even hazardous. When an appliance leaks, it often produces greywater which is defined by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as being unsafe for drinking (which is considered white water) as it can contain soap and cleaners. When water leaks from pipes though it can be considered blackwater which is far more hazardous and difficult to deal with as it contains human waste.
All forms of water damage can require costly repairs, that’s why it’s important to use preventative measures where possible.
How To Prevent Water Damage
Not all water damage can be prevented. Floods happen and freak accidents occur. But with a small amount of effort you can take preventative action and drastically reduce the likelihood of damage happening.
Conducting routine maintenance and upkeep around your home is a great way to ward off potential leaks. Inspect areas that commonly experience leaks, such as appliances and visible pipes to make sure nothing is loose. Forbes recommends in their report on water damage that implementing smart leak detectors by appliances that use water is a great way to be proactive in avoiding water damage. These sensors can alert your phone the moment water is detected where it shouldn’t be.
While you can’t get at the pipes inside your walls to realistically check that they are in good shape, you can perform preventative measures on your roof.
Whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional, you can waterproof your roof to protect the inside of your home from leaks. While waterproofing tarps exist for protection under roof shingles, the most effective way to stop leaks is with a membrane barrier. This form of barrier starts as a liquid and is applied directly to the roof. With several applications, the barrier becomes thicker and when dry is a flexible shield against water. Unlike a tarp barrier, water can’t get underneath it.
Buy Rexoseal For The Best Protection Against Roof Leaks
Rexoseal is the original membrane barrier and can ward off any leaks. Our products can keep your home safe from potential leaks and even protect RV roofs and home foundation cracks. This rubberized sealant has been on the market for over 10 years and hasn’t had one leak. To learn more about what Rexoseal can do for you call us at 1-888-796-2110 or visit our website.