The Different Types of Water Damage and How to Address Them

Water damage is a tough break for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for homeowners. If you need to know what to look for, it is easy to miss the signs of water damage and only realize there is a problem too late. While no amount of money or time will fix your home if you ignore the damage, getting ahead of the game will make it easier when repairs are needed. 

In this article, we will talk about different types of water damage and how they affect your home so you can keep them from happening in the first place.

Water Hammer

A water hammer is a sudden, loud noise that occurs when water flows through a pipe. It can cause damage to your home and its contents, mainly if it needs to be addressed quickly.

If you hear water hammering in your home or business, call the emergency services immediately so they can assess the situation and help you out.

Flooding

Flooding is the most common type of water damage. It can happen in many ways, but most often due to heavy rains or snowmelt, which causes rivers and streams to overflow their banks. The water then flows into homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings in your home’s structure. This type of flooding can occur quickly if you live near a body of water, such as a lake or river. So it is essential to plan accordingly if you are at risk for this type of disaster.

There are three main types of flooding:

• Flooding due to an unnatural disaster
• Flooding caused by failing infrastructure
• Flooding caused by natural disasters

Freeze Damage

Freezing water can cause damage to property, including burst and frozen pipes. It can also damage electrical and plumbing systems by forcing them to freeze. Freezing temperatures can cause structural problems with your building if it is not adequately insulated or if you do not have a dehumidifier running in your home all winter.

Gas Leak

If you smell gas, turn off the gas supply immediately. You hear a hissing sound and wait to touch the faucet or light switches until you have called a plumber. If there is no audible noise, open windows and doors to ventilate your home and call for help from an experienced professional.

Burst Pipes

A burst pipe is a break in the pipe. It can be caused by several things, such as freezing or corrosion, but most often, it is caused by a sudden change in pressure. If you hear or see water coming from your pipes, then it is likely that they have burst.

Drip Damage

Drip damage happens when water seeps into carpeting or wood floors above concrete slabs (such as in an unlevel basement). This type of water damage is often caused by plumbing leaks or cracks in the slab. The best way to combat this type of water damage is by addressing any underlying issues that may have led to it happening in the first place.

Water Intrusion

Water intrusion enters your home through cracks in the foundation or walls. This can happen with heavy rain, flooding, and even a broken pipe. This problem must be addressed immediately, as it can cause severe damage to your home if left untreated.

Splash Damage

Intermittent splashes from a running faucet can result in splash damage, which can be tricky to clean up. Suppose you notice a small amount of water on your floor after someone takes a shower. In that case, this is likely where the splashes originated — not from the showerhead itself! You’ll want to invest in a large pail rather than use paper towels to clean up this mess.

Water Extraction

Water extraction is the process of removing water from your property. The goal is to dry out your home, remove any mold that may have grown, and use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the property as much as possible.

Suppose you are dealing with flood damage or fire damage to your home. In that case, you will need professional assistance from the water damage cleanup companies in Mission, KS, who can help with this process.

Surcharged water

Surcharged water is a severe problem and should be cleaned by a professional. If you see surcharged water in your home, contact an expert immediately to prevent potential health hazards.

Surcharged water can be hazardous if left untreated or allowed to stay long enough for contaminants to spread throughout your home’s structure. Some common substances that cause surcharged water include:

• Sewage
• Human waste (urine)

Sewer Backup

Sewer backup is standard in many homes, especially those with septic systems. When the soil surrounding your home is saturated, water will seep into the sewer system and cause damage.

Sewer backups can happen for several reasons:

• You may have an outdated or faulty septic system that needs to be fixed. This can cause sewage to overflow into your house through the sewer line.
• The drainage from one part of your home may be blocked by another part of it (such as a sink pipe). The blocked drainage could allow more water to enter than usual, causing sewer backups when they aren’t needed most urgently.

Sump Pump Failure

If your sump pump fails, it can cause extensive damage to your home. A clogged filter or blockage in the discharge pipe may cause water to overflow into your basement. A power outage could also lead to a sump pump failure if you have an electrician install a backup generator that turns on only when necessary.

Consult with a professional.

The first step towards tackling water damage is to educate yourself about what types of damage there are and what steps you can take to minimize them. Only then can you start to develop a plan for cleaning up the mess and getting your home or business back on its feet.

And in every case, it is always worth consulting with a professional if you need help with how to proceed.