Water damage can be caused by a number of factors, including broken pipes, sewage backup and flooding. Here's a more detailed look at these causes and what you can do to prevent them.
If a pipe bursts, you usually know it. But if it leaks, it could take weeks, months or even years to discover it. Over time, leaks weaken pipes and surrounding structures enough to break them open. Broken pipes are most common in the winter when temperatures dip below freezing. Check the Allgood forecast every night during the colder months and protect your pipes with insulated or heated tape.
Sump pumps are generally reliable. But they can wear out. Keep yours in good shape by cleaning, inspecting and testing it every three to four months. This includes checking the power source, and establishing a back-up power source, such as a battery or gas-powered generator. The number one reason sump pumps fail in Allgood homes is because a heavy storm knocks out power - which effectively knocks out your sump pump.
When washing machine and ice maker hoses break, they spew a costly mess. To stop this from happening, purchase metal braided washing machine lines and copper ice maker pipes from any Allgood-area hardware store. And make sure they're installed correctly. Human error is another common reason appliances leak.
This can be caused by a number of problems: worn gaskets, blocked pipes, pipe corrosion and, strangely enough, tree roots. Inspect gaskets twice a year and replace when necessary. Avoid throwing household items in the toilet (i.e., keep an eye on the kids!). And, although initially expensive, replace sewer pipes in older homes. The upfront cost will be much less expensive than cleanup costs if a sewage spill was to occur. Remove trees if roots approach your sewer line, or try an enzyme drain treatment from any Allgood-area hardware store.
Flash floods can happen anywhere, including Allgood. Hurricanes and summer thunderstorms are the most common causes of flash flooding, but winter storms and rapid snow melt are the most unexpected reasons for a flood. Your only protection: flood insurance.
While flooding is the rarest of water emergencies, its effects can be devastating. Just a few inches of flood water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Most Allgood homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. And few people realize that federal disaster assistance is a loan that must be paid back with interest.
Flood insurance is a smart investment for anyone who lives in a flood plain. Just who is that? You. That’s right. Every home in Allgood – including yours – is in a flood plain. Your risk may be high, medium or low, but there is at least some likelihood that you will experience flood damage. Those who have flood insurance file a total of $3 billion in claims each year, making flooding one of the most expensive natural disasters in the U.S.
Source: www.floodsmart.gov
Water damage restoration is the process of restoring your home to its pre-damage condition. Your Allgood water damage professional will inspect your home with moisture-detecting sensors, and restore your property with special drying, sanitizing and deodorizing techniques.
Flood damage cleanup differs from standard water damage cleanup due to additional factors like the flood's impact on the surrounding environment, or damage caused by other storm-related events, such as wind, hail or snow. But with technicians throughout Allgood, help is just minutes away.
Sewage damage cleanup requires a certain level of expertise to stop the spread of harmful bacteria. Allgood companies that list sewage damage cleanup as an available service on WaterDamageRestoration.net are trained and certified to handle this tough job.
With fire damage, not only do you suffer water damage from sprinkler systems and emergency assistance, but your home is left charred and blackened by flames and smoke. Allgood homeowners now have a resource for fire damage cleanup and restoration at WaterDamageRestoration.net.
There's no question that mold is a dangerous problem. And during a water emergency, it grows quickly. Just 24 hours after water damage occurs, your home could sprout its first mold spores. Leave it to the local Allgood experts found on WaterDamageRestoration.net to get rid of it for good.
There's more to the dehumidification process than meets the eye. Your water damage professional will carefully measure your home's moisture content, incorporating Allgood's natural humidity levels, before drying the area with hi-tech dehumidifiers, high-speed air movers and other special equipment.