What Is Water Damage & What Causes It?

Water damage is usually caused by water creeping into areas it shouldn’t be, and settling in. Most of the water damage issues we come across are caused by a small leak that goes untreated over time, but some water damage happens all at once. Especially with the Nor’Easter storms we see in our area, water damage can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it. 

So, what are the most common causes of water damage, and how can you prevent it?

Inclimate Weather Causes Water Damage

Let’s face it…the weather in New England can be erratic – at times, causing huge swings in temperature. The combination of heat and moisture during the summer, contrasted by the cold and dry winter wind acts as the catalyst for mold or mildew to form over time. Especially in New England, we see a lot of homes that have water damage behind the walls, from years of neglect. Many people also experience sudden water damage after a large rain or snow storm. In this case, it’s important to call emergency flood or mold remediation services to not let the problem get any worse.

Leaking Pipes Cause Water Damage

Over time, it’s possible for pipes to become loose, or be jostled out of place behind your walls and underneath your floorboards. A continuous leakage from a pipe, even if it’s a tiny drop, will damage its surrounds and encourage the formation of mold over time. Pipes bursting during the winter months also cause a major concern in New England. One way to prevent this is to keep a small drip of water coming from your faucet throughout the day, so it never has a chance to settle and freeze.

Clogged Gutters Causes Water Damage

When your gutters are clogged, water won’t drain, and it will run down the exterior walls of your house causing major damages. Normally, house gutters are clogged by leaves and other forms of debris in the warmer seasons, but gutters can also be clogged with ice dams in the winter…we’ll get to that next!

Ice Dams Cause Water Damage

During the colder winter months, your water damage concerns should be centered around ice dams. Ice dams form when snow piles onto your gutters, melts, and then refreeze0,s causing a blockage in your gutter. The large chunk of ice slowly melts, dripping down the side of your home, and likely into the walls of your attic. Repairing ice dams typically involves some level of roofing repairs, in combination with interior and exterior wall repairs.

Blocked Gutter Drains Cause Water Damage

Your house has many drains – the ones we think of regularly are in the bathroom and kitchen sinks, the shower and bathtub drains, and in the laundry room hook ups. If any of those drains gets blocked by something, water doesn’t properly flow down the drain, and overflows to other places in the house. 

Check Your Water Heaters This Winter

 It’s important to check your water heaters – some of them are old and need replacement, while others are just poorly maintained. Even a good water heater can leak due to excess tank pressure. Whichever the case, water will get its way to places it should not be, pool, and cause damages.

Water damage is never something that a homeowner wants to discover, but if you do – address it immediately.  Tom Curren Companies recommends addressing any signs of water damage right away. If you have any questions or want to discuss potential water damage issues in your home, please give us a call at 617-969-4900