24/7 Emergency ServiceWhere to Look to Prevent Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO of Marietta West
9/13/2021 (Permalink)
A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Marietta West team if you are dealing with water damage...large or small!
Gravity and pressure are always conspiring to cause water damage at your home. Every pipe, every hose and every joint are under near-constant stress, though you may not even see it. While it seems inevitable that one of these things will eventually give way and send water gushing through your house, there are a few common places you may be able to check periodically to catch leaks before they begin.
- Toilets | Your toilet is porcelain and not prone to leaks in its construction, but the rubber seals used where water flows in and out are commonly worn over time. Keep an eye in particular on the flapper in the tank and the valve seal on the bottom of the tank.
- Appliances | Any appliance that transfers or draws water is likely to wear out its hoses or washer rings over time—washing machines, for example, are notorious for eroding supply hoses, and dishwashers have a few different places from which they can leak, including the door if the rubber seals are damaged. And here’s something to note—if your water heater is more than about 10 years old, it’s possible it could rupture.
- Clogged Gutters | Here’s a leak situation you can almost always see coming. A little ladder-climbing can save you the big headache of having your gutters dam up and backup into your walls, attic and roof. Which leads us to…
- Roof Damage | Your roof is one of the workhorses of your home, and it does an admirable job, given all it’s up against. But eventually it’s going to show chinks in the armor, and you may be able to visually catch these before they present real problems. Broken and cracked shingles, damaged flashing or mortar around the chimney, and even areas of pooling water and mold can all be seen from the ground. Inspection is especially important after intense storms, as these can cause or exacerbate issues quickly.
- Pipes | Oxidation or excessive water pressure can cause metal pipes to fail, and any pipe can succumb to problems from a joint that becomes loose and gives way. And if your water pressure becomes low over time with no explanation, it could be that tree roots have intruded into the main water line that runs through your yard.
- Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes | Certain foods are bad for your disposal because they can either gunk it up (like grease) and keep it from working or break down into tiny pieces that clump up in your pipes (like rice). And when you plunge these, it can put excess pressure on your p-trap joints, eventually causing them to separate and spill water and food bits everywhere...Yuck!
Anywhere water flows, there’s a risk for leakage and damage. But some regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance may save you a few issues in the long run. If a water leak happens at your Kennesaw or Marietta home, whether it’s a big or small problem, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side...SERVPRO of Marietta West!