Finding that your house is destroyed by a leak or flood can be devastating, and repairing water-damaged walls and floors is usually very expensive. In more than 90% of cases, water damage can be prevented. Looking for plumbing problems, leaks and other problems is the key to preventing water from damaging the house.

Continue reading this article to learn about the top 5 causes of water damage in your home.

Plumbing problem

Water damage is usually caused by plumbing problems. This is why it is important to inspect the plumbing system in your home at least once a year to ensure that there are no problems with the hoses or fittings. You should also remember that the pipe has a long life. Brass tubes can be used for up to 70 years, while copper tubes can be used for more than 50 years. The average life of galvanized steel pipe is usually between 20 and 50 years.

Drain pipes are usually made of cast iron (which can last up to 100 years) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Properly maintained PVC pipes can be used indefinitely. Check your home inspection report or consult a licensed plumber to understand the life of the plumbing pipes in your home.

If your water bill is unusually high, it may mean that no leaks have been detected. Buying a leak sensor is one way to protect your house. You should also check for soft spots or moisture around the toilet, bathtub, shower, and sink. Also, pay attention to loose tiles. If you have a dishwasher or a refrigerator with a water line, look for curved or discolored floors.

The washing machine is leaking

Unless you are doing laundry, you may not think twice about washing machines. However, if it crashes, the result can be catastrophic. For example, if the water supply hose is damaged or the connection to the wall or washing machine is faulty, more than 500 gallons of water may overflow within an hour. This can cause severe flooding, especially if the washing machine is located on the second floor of the house.

To prevent water damage, you should replace the washing machine supply hose at least once every five years. In addition, avoid the temptation to overload the washing machine. Throwing too many clothes into the washing machine may loosen gaskets and valves or cause cracks. Take care of your washing machine, and the washing machine will take care of you too.

Burst water pipe

In the severe winter, the pipeline will freeze and crack. This is more likely to happen if you use certain types of pipes, such as swimming pool water supply lines, sprinkler lines, and pipes with the lowest insulation that are connected to external walls.

If the temperature in your area tends to freeze, be sure to protect your pipeline. Insulate hot and cold water pipes with hot tape or pipe sleeves provided by home improvement stores. If you have a water supply line in your garage, please close the garage door as often as possible. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate. If you plan to spend some time away from home, keep the temperature high, and set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees. You cannot control the weather, but you can use it to save the pipeline.

Aging water heater

The water heater has a shelf life. You can wait until the water heater starts to leak to replace it. However, if you are smart about avoiding water damage, you should replace it every 10 years. Tankless water heaters can be used for up to 20 years.

You can find the serial number on the manufacturer's label near the top of the water heater to know the life of the water heater. Make sure to check the water heater regularly to check for signs of moisture accumulation, mold, or corrosion. If your water is not as hot as it used to be, or the faucet is rusty, it's time to call a plumber or water heater expert.

bad weather

If your house is not weatherproof, the storm may damage your roof, walls, and ceiling. By ensuring that rain gutters and downpipes are clean, make sure that the home is prepared for severe weather. You should also check doors and windows to make sure that the gaps are not broken.

The roof should be inspected once a year. Professional roofing contractors can look for external and internal warning signs to ensure that the condition of your roof may cause water damage, including cracked or missing shingles and areas prone to water accumulation. An inspection may cost hundreds of dollars, but in exchange for your peace of mind, it is priceless.

Click here to learn how to deal with damaged houses after the storm.

There are many steps you can take to prevent water from damaging your home. Nevertheless, there are still times that cannot be resisted. If your house is unfortunately damaged by water, you can use an Alorair dehumidifier to dehumidify the house after removing a large amount of stagnant water to prevent secondary damage to your house property. Because mold grows on wet surfaces, drying the space as soon as possible helps prevent mold from growing on your walls, bathrooms, carpets, and other surfaces.