The Costs of Water Damage
Have you ever had to handle water damage? Have you been devastated by how much a leak can do over the course of a few days? It can be very costly and cause much unnecessary stress. According to the American Insurance Association, between 2007 and 2009; 23% of all property losses were caused by water damage. Costs to repair can average between $5,000 to more than $20,000, and the average is rising. Over 4.3% of Americans suffer water damage issues every day. While there are methods to preventing such things, inspecting your home is important. Knowing how often to inspect is also important.
Water Damage
The term water damage refers to the loss or damage of property by water intrusion. Water can cause delamination and/or rotting of wood, rusting of iron or steel, mold, and other things that can otherwise damage or destroy property. Water Damage is also harmful to your health; mold can cause disease, allergies, and even death just by breathing in the air near it. The most devastating of water damage can be caused by leaks, overflowing of water sources, or improper weather defense. Old water heaters, dishwashers, and faulty washing machines are a just a few of the common causes for overwhelming water damage. However, sometimes water damage can be deceptive and hidden, causing damage over time. Clogged gutters, dripping pipes, a cracked foundation, or inadequately installed waterproofing materials can be the root of problems for future household horrors.
Prevention and Precautions
There are several methods and precautions to preventing water damage, or at the very least reducing the amount of damage done. These methods are:
- A good way to prevent water damage is by waterproofing common areas, such as the basement, or crawlspaces beneath your home.
- Another useful way is to install water detectors. These devices detect water leaks and send alerts to you so that you may stop the water flow and fix the leak before significant damage occurs.
- Checking your water-based appliances, like water heaters, air conditioners, and washing machines, at least once a year, can help you keep track of any deterioration that may cause a future leak.
- Making sure you hire professional and experienced contractors, as well as making sure they take steps to protecting your home from the weather, while it is under construction, can prevent future problems.
- Installing Sump stations in places like your basements or backyards can help alleviate flooding issues in the future.
Inspecting Your Home
Not all water damage can be prevented. Even with precautions set, there are many ways water can make its way to where it shouldn’t. Looking for signs of water damage is crucial to preventing large-scale damage to your home. A quick inspection every one or two days is best to catch water damage before it is at its worst. Water damage done in one or two days is better to stop and repair, than water damage done over several weeks or months. Mold can form within 24-48 hours, detecting and cleaning up water and water damage before mold forms is important to preventing it.
Conclusion
Water damage is almost inevitable if you own a home or living space, and repairs can cost thousands of dollars. It can rot wood, rusty iron or steel, and can grow mold that can be harmful or even fatal to your health. There are many ways of preventing it and reducing the damage before it happens. However, inspecting your home every one or two days through a company like Raleigh Waterproofing can be essential to reducing the cost of water damage if not prevented.
Sources:
- http://www.waterdamageinformation.com/
- http://www.waterdamagelocal.com/water-damage-101-whitepaper.pdf
- http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm
- http://www.insuranceqna.com/home-insurance/home-insurance-statistics.html
Daniel Vicenti, the writer, is a proud homeowner who recognizes the many trials associated with proper home maintenance, and especially in home maintenance tasks pertaining to preventing water damage.