With any leak, IT'S THE WATER YOU DON'T SEE that may cause the most damage.

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Slow refrigerator water-line leak, caused extensive damage Pillager, MN

4 Common Causes of Water Damage

Whatever the cause, water damage that occurs to your home in Crow Wing County can be incredibly stressful and costly to deal with. Especially severe cases can damage the structure of your house, completely destroy furniture, ruin personal belongings, and cause mold to grow. The key to avoiding water damage is by ensuring there is no excess water in your home due to leaks, puddles, or too much moisture in the air. Here are four common causes of water damage to be aware so you can prevent them from ever happening in the first place.

1. Plumbing Issues

Issues with your plumbing can cause extreme water damage before you even realize that anything went wrong, which is why prevention is key. Make sure to check your bathrooms and sinks regularly to observe for any leaks, musty smells, or a problem with your toilet. Avoid a major pipe cleanup by replacing old, rusty pipes if you notice any.

2. Appliance Leaks

Watch out for the four appliances that leak the most by checking for leaks, faulty connections, or cracked hoses:

• Washing machine
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher 
• Water heater

3. Issues With Your HVAC System

HVAC systems are prone to leaking or freezing due to dirty coils, a broken pipe, or temperature issues. Make sure to perform regular maintenance and inspections on your HVAC and address any concerns before leaving your home on vacation to avoid leaking water in your home while you’re away.

4. Lack of Ventilation

One easy but important way to avoid having to call in a water restoration specialist is to ensure your home is well ventilated. This is especially true in your bathroom. When you take a shower, make sure to turn on your exhaust fan, crack open a window, and leave the door open.

Undiscovered leaks and moisture build-up can cause damage to the floors, walls and ceilings of your home, leading to soft drywall, warped floors and ceilings, or worse problems.  This damage may go unnoticed for an extended period of time, proper cleanup is important to the restoration of your property, possibly reducing the cost of repairs needed.