The Places Water Lurks | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul to find the source.

Water can do a lot of damage in a little bit of time when it gets into the wrong places. Not only is the damage immediate, but the longer it sits the worse it gets. Water also likes to lurk in places unseen, making it even more disastrous.

One of the ways you can combat the effects of water damage in your home is getting to know the places that water likes to hide. When you know some of the top places where leaks start, you can keep a close eye on them and stop issues before damage sets in.

Add these three locations to your regular maintenance and check them often to prevent a total disaster in your home.

The roof. When your roof develops a leak, it can go undetected a long time, especially if it is in the midst of our winter months. Although it’s mostly mild in Spring Valley and surrounding areas, most of us likely avoid climbing on the roof during this time of year.

Water damage on the roof can progress slowly, but when it does, it can cause problems on every level of your home. When your attic space gets wet, because it is typically a dark and small area already, mold growth can easily occur and cause more problems.

Check your attic for musty odors or wet insulation, and get on your roof at least twice a year. Be cognizant of potential damage after a wind storm as well by keeping an eye on gutters and the perimeter of your home.

The bathroom. In a room where so much water is used, it might not be a surprise there is a high risk of damage, but it can actually be hard to catch problems when they occur.

Add checking under your bathroom sinks to your weekly cleaning list, and listen for drips while you feel for standing water or other moisture. If your bathroom seems to always be damp or your drains run slow there could be a bigger issue going on.

Inspect around your toilet and shower for worn-out caulking, and make sure you have proper ventilation installed.

Appliances with water lines. When an appliance has a water feature, it also has a leak potential. These leaks can be slow and small, and commonly start underneath or behind the appliance. This can lead to water sneaking around the base of your walls and even creating soft spots in your floor.

Pull your dishwasher, refrigerator and washing machine out and away from the wall at least once a year for cleaning and inspection. Make sure the hoses aren’t kinked, and look for mold growth.

When you use your large appliances, listen for drips or water that is moving too fast or too slow. All appliances have different life spans, but it is ideal to replace anything older than 10 years old in order to prevent problems from happening.

If you do find water lurking in your home, call SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul right away. We are available 24/7 when there is a disaster, and we make it our goal to get your home restored quickly.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!