Hidden Issues That Can Lead to Water Damage in Your Home

Many homeowners are familiar with water damage that occurs when a pipe breaks or an appliance leaks. To avoid further water damage at your home, you must inform the water damage restoration service provider. These types of problems are usually very obvious and don’t require much investigation. However, these aren’t the only things that can lead to water damage in a home.

There are many other sources that are much less obvious, and as a result, most homeowners overlook the possibility until it is too late. Some of the more common hidden issues that homeowners deal with include:

• Structural Issues
• Poor Landscaping
• Usual Wear and Tear from Age
• Poor Workmanship and Design Flaws

Structural Issues

One of the biggest culprits of water damage is weakness in the home’s structure. For example, foundations can easily become cracked or shifted as the ground around the home settles and changes. Unfortunately, there’s usually not much that can be done to stop the ground conditions from changing. 

Weather conditions can also contribute to these shifts as soil expands when it absorbs rainwater or snowmelt. When it dries out, it will settle back into its original position, but the constant change can stress structural components, including floors, walls, crawl spaces, and more. 

In some cases, the structural problems may be caused by roots that are seeking water and oxygen that they need to survive. These roots can eventually grow into a drainage line and leave it partially or completely blocked. In fact, this is usually the main cause of sewage backups. Roots can also exert pressure on the foundation and contribute to more cracks.

Poor Landscaping

Having a well-landscaped house is about more than just impressing your neighbors and adding curb appeal to your property. Aside from planting a tree or shrub too close to sewage lines, there are many other landscaping issues that can leave a homeowner calling a water restoration company. 

First and foremost, it’s important to make sure that the landscaping is graded properly. If the yard slopes upwards away from the house, the water from rain runoff will end up flowing towards the foundation and pooling until it eventually seeps into a weak spot. Instead, the landscaping should always slow downwards so that water runs off away from the house.

Flowerbeds can also impede the flow of water. Therefore, it’s crucial that homeowners grade them away from the house as well. Not only can they cause water to collect around the house, but they can also lead to mold growth and damage to plants if they retain standing water. 

Usual Wear and Tear from Age

Another thing for homeowners to be aware of is that the age of their home can make it more or less susceptible to water damage. Older homes usually have a lot of wear and tear, and if the homeowner doesn’t stay on top of replacing their roof, windows, or doors, they could leak. 

That’s not all!

Storms can also weaken a home’s exterior and leave it vulnerable to the elements. Therefore, homeowners should always stay on top of inspecting their siding, shingles, and other exterior building materials. They should also address problems at the first sign instead of delaying maintenance. 

Poor Workmanship and Design Flaws

Human error is another common cause of damage that a water restoration company could find. People aren’t perfect, so it’s not unusual for a builder or designer to make a mistake when building a house. Unfortunately, their negligence can leave a home in danger of flooding or leaks. For example, a bad window installation can leave leaks that damage the walls of a home, or failure to caulk a shower could cause water damage to the bathroom floor.

The contractors may have also used cheap materials when constructing the property. These materials can degrade faster or cause structural issues that could lead to a leak in the pipes, foundation, roof, and more.

In some cases, homeowners might be able to file a lawsuit against the builder or designer if their home suffers from water damage. However, it can be difficult to prove that the other party is at fault. Sometimes, it is easier to let a water restoration company handle the insurance claim instead.

Learn More About How a Water Restoration Company Can Identify Hidden Issues

Homeowners who suspect they may have one or more of the hidden issues described should not wait to contact a water restoration company. After all, the damage only increases by the hour. Instead, they could reach out to a company like ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis. 

Their team of professionals is available by phone 24/7, or customers can request a free quote through their convenient online form.