Water Damage: Causes, Prevention, Solutions.

12/13/2024 (Permalink)

Fleet onsite at a local Hotel with commercial water damage.

Understanding Water Damage and Damaged Pipes: Causes, Prevention, and Solutions

Water damage is a common yet costly problem for homeowners and businesses alike. From leaky pipes to burst water mains, the havoc caused by water infiltration can affect your property in ways that range from mild inconvenience to severe structural damage. At the heart of many water damage situations are damaged pipes, which can result from a variety of factors. In this blog, we will explore the causes, signs, prevention, and solutions related to water damage caused by broken or deteriorating pipes.

What Is Water Damage?

Water damage occurs when excess water makes its way into areas it shouldn’t, leading to deterioration, mold growth, rusting, and other costly issues. It can happen due to a range of factors, including leaks, floods, burst pipes, or roof damage. When water seeps into the structure of your home or office, it compromises walls, ceilings, floors, electrical systems, and even personal belongings.

While water damage might seem like a sudden occurrence, it often develops over time, especially when caused by damaged pipes that are left unchecked. Whether it's a slow leak or a full-blown burst pipe, the impact of damaged plumbing can be significant.

Common Causes of Water Damage From Damaged Pipes

1. Aging or Deteriorating Pipes Pipes don't last forever. Over time, pipes made from materials like copper, steel, or even plastic can corrode or weaken. Corrosion can cause small cracks and leaks that gradually worsen. As pipes age, their joints and seals may deteriorate, increasing the risk of leakage. This is particularly common in older homes or buildings with plumbing systems that haven’t been updated in decades.

2. Frozen Pipes One of the most common causes of water damage during winter is frozen pipes. When temperatures drop, water inside pipes can freeze and expand, causing the pipes to burst. Frozen pipes are most likely to occur in unheated areas like attics, basements, or exterior walls. When the ice thaws, water begins to flow freely, often causing significant water damage.

3. Clogged Pipes Blockages in pipes can lead to pressure buildup, and when this pressure becomes too much, pipes may burst. Clogs can be caused by anything from grease buildup and hair to tree roots infiltrating underground pipes. Even small blockages can cause severe water damage over time.

4. Improper Installation or Maintenance Faulty installation or lack of maintenance can increase the risk of water damage. If pipes are installed incorrectly, or if they are not maintained properly, they may weaken and crack. Poorly connected or unsupported pipes can bend and burst under pressure.

5. High Water Pressure If your home has consistently high water pressure, it can put excessive strain on your pipes, eventually causing leaks or bursts. Maintaining the right water pressure level is essential for the longevity of your plumbing system.

6. Tree Roots Invasive tree roots can infiltrate underground pipes, especially those made of older materials like clay or cast iron. As roots grow, they crack and break pipes, leading to leaks and water damage. Tree roots are a major concern for homeowners with large yards or mature trees near their plumbing systems.

Signs of Water Damage From Pipes

Detecting water damage early is crucial to preventing further destruction. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Discolored or Wet Walls and Ceilings: If you notice wet spots or discoloration on your walls or ceilings, this is a red flag for a leaky pipe.
• Mold or Mildew: Excess moisture from leaks can promote mold growth. Check for musty odors or visible signs of mold on walls, floors, and ceilings.
• Low Water Pressure: A sudden drop in water pressure could indicate a leak in your pipes.
• Increased Water Bills: A spike in your water bill without any change in usage might be caused by a hidden leak.
• Pooling Water: Puddles or pools of water around your home’s foundation or under sinks and appliances can be a sign of a leaking pipe.

How to Prevent Water Damage From Damaged Pipes

1. Regular Inspections Routine inspections of your plumbing system can help identify any potential issues before they become serious problems. Hire a professional plumber to inspect the integrity of your pipes, especially if your home has older plumbing. Look for signs of corrosion, leaks, or wear.

2. Insulate Pipes During Winter If you live in an area with cold winters, insulating your pipes is a must. This helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Focus on pipes in attics, basements, and exterior walls where they are most vulnerable to temperature changes.

3. Keep an Eye on Water Pressure Install a pressure gauge to monitor the water pressure in your home. Ideally, water pressure should be between 40 and 60 psi. If it’s too high, consider installing a pressure-reducing valve to protect your pipes.

4. Regular Drain Maintenance Regularly clean drains to prevent clogs. Avoid pouring grease, oils, or large food particles down the sink. Use a drain catcher in bathrooms to prevent hair buildup. For tree roots in the yard, consider installing a root barrier to keep roots from damaging underground pipes.

5. Upgrade Old Pipes If you live in a home with old pipes, consider replacing them with modern materials that are less prone to corrosion. For example, PEX or PVC pipes are more durable and less likely to leak or burst.

6. Know the Location of Your Shut-Off Valve In the event of a major water leak, it’s essential to know where the water shut-off valve is located. Turning off the water supply immediately can prevent further damage until you can address the issue.

What to Do When You Have Water Damage From Pipes

If you discover a leak or water damage, taking immediate action is critical:

1. Turn Off the Water Supply Locate and turn off the main water valve to stop the flow of water. This can minimize the damage and prevent further flooding.

2. Assess the Damage If safe, assess the extent of the water damage. If water has seeped into walls or flooring, there’s a risk of mold growth and structural issues, so acting quickly is important.

3. Call a Professional If the damage is severe or if you’re unable to fix the issue on your own, contact a plumber to repair the damaged pipes. Additionally, if the water has caused significant damage to your home, you may need to contact a water damage restoration company to clean up and prevent further issues.

4. File an Insurance Claim Water damage can be expensive to repair. If your home insurance policy covers water damage, file a claim promptly. Document the damage with photos, and keep receipts for repairs to help facilitate the process.

Conclusion

Water damage caused by damaged pipes can lead to serious issues, but with the right knowledge, prevention, and prompt action, you can minimize the risk and impact. Regular maintenance, inspections, and proactive measures like pipe insulation and pressure monitoring can go a long way in keeping your plumbing system intact. Should a problem arise, acting quickly and calling in professionals can help mitigate the damage and protect your property. By staying vigilant and informed, you can safeguard your home from the costly consequences of water damage.

SERVPRO Storm Team Fleet at FL HQ

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

Our fleet team working Hurricane Ian

Did you know that SERVPRO has a specialized storm team and large loss response network to provide the resources to your property when others can’t? 
In the event of a disaster, SERVPRO professionals have the resources to relocate crews with equipment to take care of all of our customer’s needs. SERVPRO strategically places mobilization teams across the country to travel when needed to support in recovery after large storm events such as hurricanes.
Our job as water damage restoration professionals is to limit the amount of business interruption. We understand that fast mitigation is key to getting your business back up and running.
SERVPRO provides the resources in the event of a large storm event to make sure that the right equipment, procedures and training are in place to ensure that the structure is dry the first time and saves you time and money.
Do you have questions about how SERVPRO of Columbus, Jackson & Jennings can help you prepare for a disaster? Contact us today at (812) 372-7760!

Plumbing Leaks

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

Call us to make it "Like it never even happened."

If you've noticed a musty smell near your water heater, damp drywall near your toilet, or mildew in your cabinets, you may have a plumbing leak. How you handle it depends on where this pesky leak is located.

Stopping and fixing a leaky pipe can prevent serious damage to your home. You can take some simple steps to temporarily fix a leaking pipe, and there are different set of actions you should take to rid yourself of the leak forever. 

Once you discover a leak, stopping it should be your first priority. Control a leak with the following steps prevents further water damage, the waste of more money to your utility bills, and can make replacing the pipe in distress a much simpler process.

Step #1: Shut off the water valve to prevent any more water flow to the leak that has been identified. If the leak is at a toilet, water heater, or sink, a valve will be present. If the leak is occurring elsewhere and no valve is visible, it would be best to go to your main water valve 

for the entire house and shut it off. The valve is typically located within 3 to 5 feet of where the water main enters the home.

Step #2: Remove any remaining water within the leaky pipe. In order to do this, you’ll need to turn on any faucets connected to the leaky pipe or use an air compressor to force the water out manually. Depending on the type of pipe and where the leak is, you could use gravity to help push water out too.

Step #3: Dry off any remaining condensation and water by wiping the pipe dry with a towel or cloth. You’ll want to let the pipe air dry before you address the leaking area.

Step #4: Now it’s time to seal the leak. There are a couple of ways to go about this. First, and maybe this was something your grandfather once did, but find a pencil and break the lead tip inside the leak to plug the leak up. Then find some epoxy and cover the using a putty knife. A more modern approach is to use a strong epoxy and apply it to the leaking area.

Step #5: Once the leak is stopped and the epoxy has dried, the leak should then be covered externally. Depending on what you have around the home, find some rubber or gardening hose and cut roughly 2” longer than the leak itself. If you don’t have any supplies to use at this point, with the epoxy dried this would be a good time to run out to a hardware store and get what you need. Wrap the rubber or hose around the pipe where the leak is and hold it in place. A metal hose clamps tightened to hold it in place will work great. Allow this to set for one hour.

Step #6:  Apply waterproof tape around the entire area. You’re basically going to turn your pipe into a mummy. Make sure the leaking area and the rubber/hose itself is dry and then apply several layers of wrapping around the leaking area.

Step #7: Time to check your work. Turn on your valves again, and turn the water on. Let the water run for minutes and check to make sure no leak is present.

If the leak continues, we recommend calling in a professional plumber to avoid any further issues and if your leak is found to become a burst, call us for help in making it "Like it never even happened." 812-372-7760 !! 

How to deal with humidity

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

We have the equipment to get your home or business dry!

The humidity levels in your basement can impact your home and everyone living inside. It can also affect your valuables, electronics and appliances. 

Ideal basement moisture levels are between 30 - 50%. Anything below 30% is too low and can lead to structural changes in your home, causing gaps between windows and doors. Aside from health effects, insufficient moisture levels can also cause wood floors to creak and damage your belongings.

Moisture levels above 50% can lead to mildew, mold and bacteria growth. That environment can cause serious health effects. Excessive moisture can also damage walls and carpets, causing your home and belongings to rot.

One of the best ways to address basement humidity levels is to manage the moisture at its source. While consulting with a professional is always helpful, you can start by sealing off drafts, maintaining sub pumps and vents, repair leaks, and clean gutters. 

Some humidity issues are more severe than others. However, there are several accessible tools you can use to maintain appropriate moisture levels in your basement and home. Consider the following tips. Run dehumidifier, exhaust fans, use chemical absorbents, check area with water leak detection device. Humidity monitors can help you keep track of your basement's humidity levels though you can usually tell by ‘feel’ and/or smell. 

If you have any done all of these things and are still concerned that you have an issue somewhere, please call us to help you to keep your home safe and secure from those things like mold which can impact all areas of your home if dampness and humidity remains undetected. We are a phone call away at 812-372-7760!! 

Storm Team Season

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Storm Team Fleets

Storm Team Season

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Storm Team Proud

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Our storm team fleet positioned at our FL Storm Team HQ

Storm Team Proud

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Our storm team fleet positioned at our FL Storm Team HQ

Storm Team Season

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Our storm team fleets heading out after Hurricane’s from our own FL HQ.

Did you know that SERVPRO has a specialized storm team and large loss response network to provide the resources to your property when others can’t? In the event of a disaster, SERVPRO professionals have the resources to relocate crews with equipment to take care of all of our customer’s needs. SERVPRO strategically places mobilization teams across the country to travel when needed to support in recovery after large storm events such as hurricanes. Our job as water damage restoration professionals is to limit the amount of business interruption. We understand that fast mitigation is key to getting your business back up and running. SERVPRO provides the resources in the event of a large storm event to make sure that the right equipment, procedures and training are in place to ensure that the structure is dry the first time and saves you time and money.

Do you have questions about how SERVPRO of Beaumont can help you prepare for a disaster? Contact us today at (812) 372-7760!

Storm Team Season

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Our storm team fleets heading out after Hurricane’s from our own FL HQ.

Did you know that SERVPRO has a specialized storm team and large loss response network to provide the resources to your property when others can’t? In the event of a disaster, SERVPRO professionals have the resources to relocate crews with equipment to take care of all of our customer’s needs. SERVPRO strategically places mobilization teams across the country to travel when needed to support in recovery after large storm events such as hurricanes. Our job as water damage restoration professionals is to limit the amount of business interruption. We understand that fast mitigation is key to getting your business back up and running. SERVPRO provides the resources in the event of a large storm event to make sure that the right equipment, procedures and training are in place to ensure that the structure is dry the first time and saves you time and money.

Do you have questions about how SERVPRO of Beaumont can help you prepare for a disaster? Contact us today at (812) 372-7760!