Floods Are Not The Only Type Of Water Damage
When people think about water damage, the first image that comes to mind is usually the most extreme, dramatic kind of a flood forcing people to the roof of their homes.
While it’s true that this is a major catastrophe for home and business owners, water damage can come in smaller, different forms that can still require serious professional attention to resolve, especially if property owners want to continue to work or live in that space in safety.
Leaks may not be as dramatic or visible as a flood. Still, they can have a significant, negative impact on a property and even affect people’s health inside the structure if the leak is ignored. Here’s how it happens for most buildings.
Water Damage From a Roof Leak
The roof is constructed to protect a building from the elements, like rainfall. However, a roof isn’t made of ageless, indestructible materials. Time and the wear and tear that comes from constant exposure can eventually cause weaknesses that storm and weather conditions exploit.
Shingles being blown off by severe storms or the flashing—a type of seal—under the shingles and joints of a roof can corrode. When this happens, it means that rainfall can penetrate through the roof and get into the attic, crawlspace, or another area directly under the roof.
Corrosion of Pipes Causing a Leak Can Result in Water Damage
A water or drainage pipe is, by design, supposed to carry water into a building or convey used wastewater out of it. In both cases, the pipe is meant to be water-tight and not allow liquids to penetrate a structure. However, depending on the age of a building and its plumbing, pipes may be made of metal, such as cast iron.
Many buildings from the early 20th century still have their original plumbing working for the property, which means those pipes could be over 100 years old. If they weaken, then they could allow water to seep out and into walls and ceilings.
A Burst Pipe Can Cause Water Damage
Sometimes, the pipes carry water into a home, or carry it out of a house will physically break. In the case of water pipes, this could be because of a lowering of temperatures, such as cold snaps that can cause water to freeze in the pipe. When water freezes into ice, it expands, which may be enough to crack and burst a pipe.
In the case of drainage pipes, if they are very old, they may show cracks that can eventually widen. This is especially true if there are trees nearby. This is because any moisture from a cracked pipe will attract tree roots that will take hold and eventually widen cracks as they grow into them.
Call Us For Professional Water Damage Restoration Services
If you’re experiencing signs of water damage on your property, such as seeing stains or bubbling in walls and ceiling, or you’ve just had a burst pipe that sent water flowing between walls and ceilings, get professional help.
We can conduct an assessment of water damage in your home when you contact us. We’ll evaluate the extent of the damage and ensure that no moisture remains after repair and removal to prevent mold formation.
