Where to Find Potential Water Threats at Home

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of North Kenosha County team if you are dealing with any water damage

The water in your home is out to get you. You think you’ve got it under control, because you have it contained in your plumbing system.

But in every hose, pipe and appliance, that water is looking for a way out, and it will seize any available opportunity to escape and cause damage.

Your best chance of avoiding these potential problems at home is keeping an eye on a few strategic areas. From time to time, examine your home for signs of these impending leaks.

Toilets. Rubber seals are likely to be your issue when it comes to the toilet—keep an eye on the valve seal under the main tank and the flapper, which raises when you push the handle.

Appliances. Toilets, refrigerators and any appliances that use hoses to send water from one place to another are prone to develop leaks because of worn-out washers or problems with the hoses. And mind the age of your water heater—older tanks are liable to explode.

Clogged gutters. You have more control over this than any other water situation, because it’s really up to you to keep this from happening. Without your occasional presence on a ladder, this will happen, and it will eventually send water backing up into places in your home you don’t want it to be flowing.

Roof damage. This is a broad topic, but for our purposes today, let’s say you should visually inspect your roof regularly and after any major storm. Damaged shingles, flashing or sealants can allow water to damage your roof and cause structural weakness or mold in your attic.

Pipes. Even new pipes with poor insulation or badly installed joints can fail, and older pipes are prone to oxidation. If that’s not enough, outdoor pipes can actually be invaded by tree roots.

Blocked garbage disposals and sinks. Too much food, or the wrong kinds of food, can stop up your disposal or dam up your pipes, causing backups or issues under your sink. And never put any non-food items down the disposal—it doesn’t often end well.

Keeping up with the state of these areas may be able to help you see some household leaks before they happen. You can’t prevent everything, but getting a leg up where you can helps you lessen the likelihood and frequency of water damage in the home.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.