There is reportedly a significant destructive impact of water damage on houses. Water damage poses serious risks including structural problems and mold growth that can ultimately be a health hazard. Moreover, it is not only limited to the affected area but also spreads to the surrounding areas. Water damage can cause all or part of a wall to collapse or even destroy the roof, requiring thousands of dollars to repair.
This is not unusual, as approximately 14,000 US citizens observe numerous types of water damage in their surroundings, whether in their homes or elsewhere; therefore, the need to understand what water damage is, its causes, and solutions becomes essential.
Sure, let’s begin our exploration.
What is Water Damage? 6 Potential Kinds of Water Damage
Water damage is defined as the leakage of water into its surroundings or the expansion of moisture in adjacent areas. This can be of various types like drainage from any water source or wild water issues like leaking pipes etc.
Below are the top six reasons that cause water damage:
- Widespread ingress of water from external sources resulting in extensive property damage;
- Burst or leaking pipes in homes resulting in water damage;
- A damaged roof can also cause leaks and seepage damaging the interior;
- Defective appliances are also a reason for water damage, for example refrigerators, washing machines or dishwashers;
- Accumulation of water in the basement, usually attributed to inadequate drainage or often due to poor drainage or heavy rainfall;
- Finally, the failure of the sewage system causes contaminated water to enter homes.
So if you happen to be suspicious of any of the above issues in your home, then before taking any further risks, do not hesitate to contact Nashville Roofers, MidSouth Construction. Our team of experts will identify the likely water damage that may occur and repair it as well. In addition, we can provide preventive measures to prevent this in the future.
How to Assess & Repair Water Damage? 4 Key Steps to Take
Repairing water damage is a fairly straightforward process. However, we have made it stress-free for you. Now you have two options:
- Enlist the help of experts like the roofing and restoration experts at Nashville MidSouth Construction;
- Or do some DIY efforts with our support.
So if you’re leaning towards the latter option, we’ve made it easy for you to understand by breaking down the repair method into four easy steps to ensure water damage is assessed and repaired.
1: Identify Damaged Areas
The most important step is to identify the area of water damage. Although the first thing that indicates water damage is a bad smell near the damaged area, the bad smell is usually caused by molds (fungi) in the area. A stronger odor indicates closer proximity to the damage.
However, here are 5 tips to help you quickly find and assess damaged areas:
- Check that the paint is not peeling or bubbling;
- Watch for stains on ceilings and walls (or even sometimes materials);
- Investigate musty or musty odors as they indicate mold growth;
- Check for warped or sagging floors.
The above are the fastest ways to spot water damage, or you can always call the professionals at MidSouth Construction to discover it for you.
2: Remove and Replace
The next step involves targeting and replacing the root cause of the problem. This step is entirely based on the specific type of damage that has occurred, for example, if there is a loose fitting in the valve then it needs to be fixed well or if the pipe is leaking or damaged it needs to be sealed or piped accordingly.
However, there are four steps to identifying the problem and removing and replacing it:
- Use pumps to remove water followed by dehumidification to prevent mold growth
- Remove broken materials such as flooring, insulation, or drywall
- Apply an antimicrobial solution to the affected area to prevent mold growth
- Replace damaged materials and provide adequate ventilation for prevention
There is still more work to do after cleaning, so continue to the next step.
3: Repair Structural Elements
This phase is based on the rehabilitation of adjacent areas damaged by water. For example, walls may require replacement of wood or other structural elements, while roofing may require new shingles and sealants. Here are three guidelines to solve this:
- Reinforce damaged areas using proper techniques and building materials;
- Assess structural integrity to identify and address potential weaknesses;
- And provide appropriate waterproofing and caulking to prevent future water damage.
This must guarantee that nothing is affected by water damage.
4: Prevent Future Leaks
To prevent further water damage in the future, you should remember that faulty water appliances are not the only reason for water leakage problems. This is why you should follow the following preventive methods:
- Ensure adequate ventilation and airflow;
- Check and maintain drainage channels frequently;
- Seal doors and windows effectively;
- Quickly monitor and repair pipeline leaks;
- Finally, if necessary, install the sump pump.
Following these steps will give you peace of mind, otherwise, you can always call us at MidSouth Construction to arrange a preventative measure to avoid future problems.
Conclusion
Understanding some essential considerations will make it easier to understand water damage in homes that homeowners can also repair. Implementing the suggested remedial techniques along with focusing on the affected areas would help in solving the problem. If you’re in doubt and don’t know where to start, don’t hesitate to contact MidSouth Construction today; we will handle everything for you.
