Is Water Damage Hiding In Your Home?

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

The top 5 places water damage may be hiding in your home
Here at SERVPRO, we know the dangers of undetected water damage. Building materials such as
insulation, wood, drywall, and subflooring can quickly develop fungal growth and rot when
saturated with water. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not know that water is causing
damage until it is too late.
1. Windows
a. Windows are a common spot to find water leaks. Typically, rainwater seeps into
the home between the window sash and jamb. Water can then trickle down
behind the walls, potentially saturating the framing, studs, and drywall. If left for a
long period of time, rot can begin to form on wood materials. Repairing structural
damage such as this can be expensive.
2. Beneath the dishwasher or behind tubs and showers
a. Anywhere water lines run through your walls is a prime spot for leaks to develop.
We commonly receive calls from customers who notice stains or mold forming
around their showers or tubs. In some cases, water will pool beside a fixture, or
you may notice the floor becoming spongy due to continual water leaks. The best
way to avoid this type of damage is to make sure your fixtures are properly
installed and sealed to prevent water from flowing into the wall behind them.
3. Under poorly sealed toilet
a. You’ve probably been to a home with a wobbly toilet before. Any time a toilet
shifts away from its point of installation, the seal on the wax ring surrounding the
base can become compromised. If there is a problem with the wax seal, you may
notice water pooling near the base. Addiotionally, you may notice that the toilet is
wobbly because the floor itself is becoming spongy due to rot. This is sign of
advanced water damage that should be addressed quickly.
4. Behind drywall after flooding
a. We work in Sussex County and know that flooding can cause severe damage to
your home. Flooding after heavy rain brings groundwater with a high
concentration of organic material into your home. These contaminants greatly
increase the risk of fungal growth and other health problems. Even water from a
supply line will carry whatever has been sitting on your floors into contact with
newly damp, porous drywall. Anytime waters rise above floor level
you should replace all the drywall along the lower portion of the wall and
consider treating the framing that remains.
5. Inside of an HVAC unit
This is a very common source of water damage during summer months when AC use it
high. Indoor HVAC units use a shallow drip pan to collect condensed water which forms while
the AC is in use. The water is then funneled into a condensation line to drain out of the home. If
there is any sort of obstruction to the line, water will accumulation in the pan until it overflows.
This is a very common cause of residential water damage, and can lead to mold forming in the
AC, as well as damage to other materials in the case of an overflow. You should check your AC
drip pan occasionally to ensure that water is draining as it should.
If you discover water damage and need help restoring your home or property, SERVPRO of
Sussex County is one call away. We will work with you to restore your home to its preloss
condition. Call SERVPRO of Sussex County today for a free inspection.