Your property may suffer major repercussions from water damage, including mold growth and structural problems. To help you take preventative action and deal with issues before they become worse, CPR24 Restoration is here to explain the most typical causes of water damage. Let’s examine the main reasons why water damage occurs and how they may affect your house or place of business.

• Severe weather

One of the main sources of water damage is severe weather, such as hurricanes, heavy rain, or snow. Drainage systems can be swiftly overloaded by water, resulting in roof leaks, basement flooding, and even wall and floor damage. Extreme weather-related water damage is especially likely to occur in coastal locations or areas that get high rainfall.

• Clogged gutters

Gutter blockages caused by leaves, mud, and branches make it difficult for them to efficiently redirect water away from your house. This may cause gutters to overflow, allowing water to infiltrate into your property’s foundation and walls. Water seeping into your home from clogged gutters can eventually seriously harm your roof and even the interior of your house.

• Leaking pipes

Leaking or ruptured pipes are among the most frequent and frequently overlooked causes of water damage. Anywhere in your house, including behind walls, in basements, and beneath sinks, leaking pipes might appear. If a little leak is not fixed, it might cause significant water damage. In addition to age, corrosion, and inadequate installation, cold temperatures in the winter are also frequent causes of pipe leaks.

• Washing machine leak

Another common cause of water damage in houses is washing machines. Large volumes of water can pour into your floor from a malfunctioning hose, a worn-out gasket, or an overloaded machine, damaging nearby walls, hardwood floors, and carpets. To stop leaks, it’s critical to routinely check the hoses and connections on your washing machine.

• Condensation from AC

One prevalent yet obscure source of water damage is condensation from air conditioners. Improper drainage of your air conditioner can lead to the buildup of moisture and damage to adjacent walls, ceilings, and floors. This can eventually cause mould and mildew to grow and have a major impact on the air quality in your house. Preventing this problem requires routine cleaning and maintenance of your air conditioning system.

• Blocked drains

Water backup from clogged or blocked drains in sinks, showers, or toilets can harm ceilings and floors. Slow water drainage from blocked drains can cause standing water that could overflow and seep into floors and walls. To stop water buildup and any water damage, it’s critical to routinely remove any blockages in the drain.

• Malfunctioning sprinkler systems

Although automatic sprinkler systems are meant to hydrate your grass, they can cause serious water damage if they don’t work properly. Inadequate water distribution or sprinkler system leaks can cause an excessive amount of moisture to accumulate around your home’s foundation, which can lead to mould growth, wet basements, and foundation fractures. Costly damage to your sprinkler system can be avoided with routine testing and maintenance. 

• Leaking water heater

If it starts to leak, your water heater is another typical cause of water damage. The surrounding area may flood due to a leaking water heater, causing damage to the walls and floors. Age, rust, and sediment accumulation can erode the water heater over time, raising the possibility of a leak. Significant damage from a broken water heater can be avoided with quick repairs and routine inspections.

• Roof Leaks 

Water infiltration can occur from a roof that is old or broken, particularly during storms or periods of intense precipitation. Water seeping into your attic, walls, and ceilings due to roof leaks can result in mould growth, structural damage, and electrical risks. It’s critical to conduct routine roof inspections and fix any gaps, cracks, or missing shingles before they cause serious water damage.

• Sewer Backup

One of the most expensive and painful types of water damage is a sewage backlog. Basements and lower-level rooms may flood as a result of wastewater flowing back into your house due to clogged or damaged sewer lines. In order to reduce health risks, this kind of water damage is classified as black water (Category 3), which is extremely contaminated and necessitates professional cleanup and remediation.

There’s no denying that water damage can pose a number of serious health risks. If your home has been flooded with filthy water, you should be very concerned. Flood damage water is divided into three categories:

• Category 1: “Clean” water from hygienic sources, such as your home’s plumbing. Although this water has not yet been utilized in your home, it is still fresh and pure.
• Category 2: “Grey” water from outside your home, such as seepage from the earth into your basement and post-use water from home appliances.
• Category 3: Unsanitary sources of “black” water that may contain human or animal waste. This water comprises sewage-contaminated water as well as floodwater from rivers and lakes. This water should be treated as though it were poisonous.

If you’re dealing with Category 3 water, you should take a step back and ask for help right away. This water is potentially hazardous to touch or breathe, and anything it has come into contact with must is disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. A skilled water damage restoration business will be able to tell you whether or not your contaminated possessions may be saved.

Floodwaters from outside your home can bring a wide range of germs, poisons, mold, and even fungi, even if they don’t contain raw sewage. If your home was flooded with anything other than clean tap water, your family could be exposed to these contaminants, necessitating sterilization operations.

Mold development is the most well-known threat of water damage. Mold spores might start to grow as soon as 24 hours following water damage. Mold has been linked to a variety of health conditions, ranging from allergy-like symptoms to major respiratory troubles and even neurological damage in some people. Mold isn’t something you want to deal with, so if you suspect mold is forming as a consequence of water damage or water that has been left sitting for more than 24 hours, the best thing you can do is hire a mold remediation company.

These toxins are obviously not things you want to sit around and multiply in your home, so dealing with water damage as soon as possible is critical. Water damage, on the other hand, isn’t just a health hazard in the form of biohazards; it can also undermine your home’s structure and components.

Backups of sewage are a nightmare. We don’t have to tell you that, though. If you’re having one, you probably have only one question on your mind. So, what should I do now? It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the situation. It’s possible that your basement or living space is flooded. Keep calm, remember that things can be fixed, and continue reading.

If sewage backup is a recurring problem in your home, consult a plumber for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Even if the issue is not on your property, enlisting the help of a plumber can typically expedite the problem’s resolution. A plumber can frequently give evidence that the sewer problem is not on your property.

• Power down to the affected area.
• Stop wasting water.
• Put on your personal protection equipment.
• For insurance purposes, take images or videos of the affected area.
• Any damaged property should be disposed of.
• Using a shop vac, remove any standing wastewater or sewage.
• Bleach solution to mop
• Any wood or organic surfaces should be sprayed with a mold protection solution.
• Make use of a dehumidifier.

Sewage Backup and Flood Prevention

• Inspection of the Plumbing System on an Annual Basis
• Cleaning of Drains
• Installation of a backwater valve

Water damage in your home can be caused by a variety of factors. It could be the result of a plumbing issue, an overflowing bath, or floods caused by inclement weather. Whatever the cause of the damage, it’s critical to be aware of the warning signals and not to dismiss them when you see them. Pretending it isn’t there could result in further harm and troubles for your home and family. Here’s why, if you notice water damage, you shouldn’t disregard it.

• Structural Damage
• Mold and Mildew
• Health Problems
• Bad Smells
• Stains
• Increased Repair Costs
• Electrical Damage
• Water Damage Could Indicate a Bigger Problem
• Your Water Bills Might Be Too High
• It Can Worsen Quicker Than You Think
• Your Home’s Appearance Suffers
• There Could Be a Lot of Unseen Damage
• Your Insurance Could Be Affected
• Flooding Can Cause Foundation Damage
• Fixing Water Damage Prepares You For Future Problems

Water damage requires immediate action. As soon as you notice a leak, flood, or overflow in your commercial and residential property, you should contact an emergency restoration company for water damage removal. 

As you await the quick arrival of the IICRC-certified restoration team at CPR24 Restoration, you should turn off any electrical breakers in the affected area, and stay away from hazards. 

Any furniture that has been affected or damaged, such as carpet, couches, tables, flooring, and other building materials, should be removed promptly. Dispose of any contaminated materials in a safe manner. This will help minimize the need for mold removal. 

Now that the area is clear, it is time to extract the water and dry the affected areas with the appropriate equipment. While a dehumidifier may be accessible to the general public, it may be tough to find pumps and blower fans that are readily available. By contacting CPR24 Restoration promptly, our team will arrive on-site in a timely manner to manage the water damage cleanup process, mold removal if necessary, and even reconstruction.

Secondary water damage is the type of damage that can occur as a result of floods and leaks such as mold and electrical issues. These are a noteworthy issue for property owners, particularly if it isn’t tended to in a timely manner. Secondary water damage can cause the de­velopment of mold growth, oxidized me­tal, decayed wood, and bowing floorboards.

How Does Secondary Water Damage Happen

After wate­r damage occurs in a home­, mold growth soon follows. Within two days, the first signs of mold growth can become apparent. If not addressed promptly, mold can spread e­xtensively. Mold spores can cause­ respiratory problems, allergie­s, and other health issues for occupants. To re­move the mold thoroughly and protect against future growth, homeowners should consult with the mold removal pros at CPR24 Restorations. Our­ professionals are able­ to eliminate any e­xisting mold safely and take the ne­cessary steps to preve­nt further mold from developing. Our assistance ensures that­ water damage will not lead to large­r health concerns down the road.

Oxidized me­tal is another kind of secondary water damage­ that can develop. If metal is e­xposed to moisture for a prolonged time­, it will start to rust, weakening the mate­rial and potentially causing deterioration. Decayed wood is also a fre­quent problem that can surface afte­r water damage has struck. It can undermine­ the integrity of a structure­ and generate an unsafe­ condition for occupants.

Warped and une­ven floorboards can develop as anothe­r consequence of secondary water damage. If water infiltrate­s between floorboards, it has the­ potential to distort their shape and cause­ them to lift, posing stumbling risks and allowing further destruction to take­ place if not handled without delay.

Protect Your Property with Water Damage Restoration

It’s important to address secondary water damage promptly to prevent further damage and potential health hazards. Homeowners should consult with the professionals at CPR24 Restorations, we can help you identify and address these issues effectively and safely. By taking prompt action, homeowners can minimize the damage and ensure that their homes remain safe and healthy places to live.