Water Damage and Where It Can Hide in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Talladega, Clay & Randolph Counties

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Talladega, Clay & Randolph Counties to find the source.

Water can create some pretty big disasters inside your home, especially when it plays a game of hide and seek. When a leak goes undetected long-term, it can damage your walls, floor and lead to mold growth that wreaks even more havoc.

The good news is you can get to know the areas of your home that are most prone to water damage, especially the kind that likes to hide out. When you familiarize yourself with these spots, you can take action to prevent issues, or stop them fast when they do start.

These three spots are some of the most common areas for water damage. Add maintaining them regularly to your to-do list and protect your home from total disasters.

The roof. Living in this part of Alabama has taught us all the importance of caring for our roofs. We know to keep an eye on them after a windy storm blows through, but leaks can start slow and small and can be hard to detect.

Make a point to get on your roof every spring and fall and check for soft spots or other areas of excess moisture. Keep your gutters cleaned out as well to avoid overflow when a heavy rain falls.

During the year, visit your attic space often to check for musty odors or damp insulation. Even if you have a large attic area, a space that generally stays dark make a great home for mold growth that can spread fast and leave behind a lot of damage in its wake.

The bathroom. This might feel like an obvious one, but leaks can actually hide out pretty well in a room that already sees so much water use.

Check under your sink weekly, or at least once a month, for standing water or excessive moisture. Feel around the base of your toilets and tub when you clean to make sure there is no water, and keep your caulking in good shape as needed.

If your bathroom always feel damp or your drains run slowly, you may need to add ventilation in order to prevent water and mold damage.

Appliances. Appliances that have water features are convenient, but they also come with a leak risk. These large items can have small leaks that drip for a long time unnoticed, as they most commonly occur behind or underneath the appliance.

Pull large appliances like your refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher away from the wall at least once a year for cleaning. Check behind and underneath them for mold growth or standing water. Inspect the hoses for holes or kinks.

Always stay nearby when these appliances are in use to listen for slow moving drainage or dripping water. While everything in your home has varying life spans, consider replacing appliances that are more than 10 years old to prevent problems from ever occurring.

When you do find water damage, call us at SERVPRO of Talladega, Clay & Randolph County. We have the tools and knowledge to take care of your home fast so you can get back to doing life.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!