Fire Damage Cost and Insurance
January 4, 2024How to Stop Fire
January 5, 2024Home Areas with Water Damage
Water damage can occur throughout a home. Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and even attics can experience water damage. However, the effects change depending on the cause and home area.
No homeowner wants to have to deal with water damage. Sadly, 14,000 people in the US have a water damage emergency at home or at work every day. Moreover, 98% of basements in the US experience some form of water damage over time.
Whether you’ve got water in your crawl space after heavy rain or a blocked pipe, flooding does not always cause immediate damage. In fact, it can take days or even weeks for the signs of water damage to become apparent in certain cases. People often notice pooling water, wet floors and walls, or trickling water.
Suppose you noticed any signs of water damage through your home. In that case, we’re available to perform free moisture inspections and thermal imaging scans. To find out precisely where the water is coming from and fix the problem. We even do flooded basement cleanups.
Basement water damage
Moisture or water leaks in your basement can cause mold and mildew growth, damage stored possessions, or rot wood. Mold and mildew can hide in drywall or under flooring throughout your basement.
Common signs of basement water damage include puddle of standing water, damp air or musty smells, mold or mildew, cracks or crumbling walls, efflorescence (a white, chalky stain on the wall), flaking or peeling paint, wood rot, even a sinking or uneven floor.
If you identify any of these signs, remove your belongings and anything that might attract mold. Try to determine the source of the water. Is it in your basement? Or is it coming from somewhere above? One potential cause is rising groundwater, which can push through cracks and openings in the concrete. Note that a slow water seepage in the basement can make it more difficult to find the source, compared to a strong flowing stream of water. However, if a slow seepage if found earlier, it can save more from potential larger expenses when it gets worse.
Don’t handle a flooded basement cleanup, water removal and restoration alone. Only a professional should drain and repair water flooding in a basement.
Kitchen water damage
Kitchens comprise numerous surfaces, water sources, and materials, meaning water damage can present in a variety of ways. The most obvious sources are the sink or washing machine – if you do not have a utility room. Degraded valves and sealants can trigger a leak from a sink. Or you can leak from gaskets, O-rings, or washers when they get old.
Water inflow pipes are prone to leaks in washing machines. And as the washing machine or dishwasher ages, the outer seal can also begin to leak.
Other potential causes include refrigerators, fridges, and nearby rooms.
All these possible sources of water damage in the kitchen can all cause a flooded kitchen floor if not fixed immediately. Water may pool on counters, on the floor, or around appliances. Mold and mildew can occur, most commonly in grout and behind cupboards and appliances. We perform free mold inspections of all rooms, including kitchens.
Given the expense of kitchen repair, identifying the water source and preventing further water damage from spreading is critical. That’s why it’s so important to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Bathroom water damage
Despite being the most waterproof room, bathrooms are one of the commonest rooms to suffer from water damage. Basement flooding causes often involve sink, bathtubs, and showers can leak. Toilets can clog in top floor bathrooms leading to the basements. And Exterior roof damage can even cause water to pour in from outside going to the lowest area in the house, the basement.
And, of course, excessive steam can lead to mildew or grout – perhaps the commonest sign of bathroom water damage.
Bathroom water damage isn’t always immediately apparent. Look for softened walls, loose tiles, excessive humidity, or mold damage. Excessive humidity often means you need more ventilation. Otherwise, you’ll experience worsening condensation issues.
We are certified in water and mold restoration. We’ve also got the experience to hunt down the water damage you’re not seeing. Often only half of the damage is immediately visible. So, if you’re panicking about bathroom water damage, call our 24/7 phone line.
Crawl space water damage
Homeowners know all too well about water in the crawl space after heavy rain. Down below your home, water can build up due to:
- A sewer drains line leakage
- Local flooding from a nearby water source
- Rising groundwater
- Influx from guttering
- Leaks from swimming pools
- Heavy rains
- Excessive plant watering
Whatever the cause, the signs are the same. Damp soil in the floor space will increase the underlying humidity. Sub-floors can buckle and warp. Wood can become rotten. And if your home has a heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct in your crawl space, then you’re sucking that moisture into the house. That means breathing in musty, unhealthy air.
Call in a crawl space water damage specialist from FAR to dry out your crawl space. Using state of the art equipment, we can remediate the soil and fix the cause, from sewage leaks to damaged drywall. That’s particularly important if water has stood for more than 24 to 48 hours.
Attic water damage
Broken roof tiles, leaking boilers, or leaky guttering can all cause attic water damage. From soggy insulation to mold growth, attic water damage can lead to serious issues for the structural integrity of your house. And it can even pose a health risk to everyone living in your home.
Inside your attic, look for sagging plaster, discoloration, or damaged drywall – all clear signs of a ceiling leak. If you suspect the water damage is coming from elsewhere, inspect relevant appliances, like air conditioner condensers or boilers. Moisture can seep from this machinery if the water reservoir is full.
Perhaps the clearest sign is soggy insulation. You’ll want to remove and replace it as soon as possible – to prevent mold growth.
To stop further attic water damage, we can help fix the source of the leak and provide a free estimate for reconstruction. And we’re fully insured and licensed to perform all the necessary work.